Veterans Day celebrations in Greenville will go on this year, just as they have every year.

Plans for a combined commemoration of the holiday between Greenville Area School District and Greenville Veterans Council fell through after the school district said it couldn't accommodate the group's demands for a prayer and a 21-gun salute at the school.

A community-wide debate was sparked when Greenville Mayor Clifford Harriger, a member of the veterans council, said school administrators were balking at the plan because they opposed a Christian prayer at the event. Harriger blamed the American Civil Liberties Union and reportedly said he would "rather shoot a ACLU member than one of the Japanese." The issue drew state-wide attention after it was reported by a local newspaper and television stations.

There was some confusion in the community as to exactly what was going on for Veterans Day, according Carmen Surano, a spokesperson for the Italian American War Veterans. Until his group found out what happened, he said, they were ready to protest the school for their decision.

"And then we found out the facts," he said. "When I spoke with Principal Steve Ross, I was very satisfied with their reasons."

The veterans council's traditional program for the commemoration includes the reading of the Gettysburg Address and its answer, the reading of the names of 100 soldiers from Greenville who died in wars, prayers, guest speakers who describe their experiences in wars and a 21-gun salute, according to James Carlson, chairman of the veterans council.

Carlson said the council approached the school about a joint celebration to get students involved, perhaps by reading the Gettysburg Address. Rather than have the students come to the Greenville American Legion, where the event is normally held, Carlson said the council wanted to take the program to the school.

"It just didn't work out," Dr. Patricia Homer, superintendent of Greenville schools, said. A prayer and the 21-gun salute couldn't be done on school property, she said.

The school system was still interested in having the group participate in the commemoration in other ways, like having a color guard or providing guest speakers at a school assembly, Dr. Homer said.

Harriger said he polled members of the veterans council last week and they decided to keep the program at the American Legion.

Carlson said that the council is holding to their stance that if the program at the school cannot include prayers or a 21-gun salute, then the council will not participate in any way. "I think the school could have worked it out differently with us," he said. "It's a must to have a salute."

The school had suggested a 21-gun salute be held outside of the building but, Carlson said, the students wouldn't be able hear it. Another idea, according to Dr. Homer, was that the veterans explain the significance of the salute, but Carlson said that was also unacceptable.

Dr. Homer said Veterans Day programs are planned at each schools in the district. Plans haven't been finalized yet, but the programs would include student participation through band and chorus groups and student speakers, she said.