Seaside High School junior Elizabeth DeLong has heard many people talking about the war, and has spoken about it briefly with her parents, but wishes she knew more about it.

Elizabeth is one of many Clatsop County students grappling with the questions stemming from war. Some questions don’t even have answers.

“I’d like to know more about what’s going on,” Elizabeth asked. “Will people get drafted? Are they going to draft women?”

Elizabeth’s family has encountered war before.

Elizabeth’s grandfather was a general in South Vietnam, and her mother grew up “hanging out” at the Imperial Palace.

Elizabeth DeLong, 17, and Bridget Kitson, 15, Seaside High School students, share their opinions of the war.

LORI ASSA – The Daily AstorianBut when bombing began, the family had to move to the United States or face death. The family hid in huts and huddled in trenches while bombs exploded overhead. Elizabeth’s grandfather and her mother’s brothers and sisters escaped first to the United States. A few months later, her mother joined them.

“If it’s something that has to get done,” Elizabeth said of the Iraq war, “we might as well stand up for it and get it over with.”

Peaceful hallways

Astoria High School Principal Larry Lockett addressed his students Thursday at an assembly.

Brenda Nielson, 10, a fourth-grader … asks the key question.

LORI ASSA – The Daily Astorian”We have all sorts of high emotions that happen during war,” he said. “War is not a time to celebrate; it is a time to debate and talk.”

The war has been the topic in the halls, but has not led to fights, he said.

“We have some kids whose parents are over there and are pretty intense about the war,” he said. “We have some kids who are wearing peace signs and are pretty intense. I just want to make sure those factions don’t collide.”

Nathan Maize, 10, a fourth-grader … hopes it will be over soon.

LORI ASSA – The Daily AstorianSeaside sophomore Bridget Kitson attended Astoria’s assembly. She said she appreciated Lockett’s comments about a “time to debate not fight.”

Her mother helped organize a peace march in Cannon Beach Thursday. Bridget said she and her friends are “definitely not pro-war people.” But Bridget hasn’t heard as much debate as she expected at Seaside.

“Students are pretty oblivious,” she said. “No one really knows what’s going on.”

Freshman Donald Merrell said he hasn’t talked about the war with his friends, and he rarely watches television coverage.

Arine Mayfield, 9, a third-grader … fighting for freedom.

LORI ASSA – The Daily Astorian”I really don’t want to get into the matter of debating,” he said. “The one thing I wonder is, does it have anything to do with Bush’s father?”

David was 3 years old during the first clash in the Persian Gulf.

Jewell School Superintendent John Seeley said the school has asked students to hang only positive signs from their lockers.

“We had a few kids with signs, ‘Take down Saddam,'” he said. “We said you have to form that into a positive (statement).”

Most of the school discussions have been very open, and students have been able to watch some television coverage, Seeley said.

“The basic sentiment at Jewel is we’re behind the troops. … We’re open to discussion about NATO.”

On the homefront

Freshman Brian Gilbert of Seaside said his parents talked about the war.

Michael Stoffelsen, 10, a fourth-grader … all about oil?

LORI ASSA – The Daily Astorian”They don’t think killing is the best way,” he said. “I just don’t think so either. Some of my friends say, ‘Bomb Iraq, bomb them all.’ There’s no point in going in and bombing it. All we are after is one – Saddam Hussein.”

Counselor Sherril Kelso-McDowell at Astoria said student opinions are often shaped by family beliefs.

“Parents form a strong foundation for what kids are going to believe even past high school,” she said. “They’re very much swayed by what’s going on at home and what their parents are saying.”

She and other counselors compiled expert opinions to send home to parents of children at Gray Elementary School, where she counsels. Experts advise parents to allow their children to talk about the war openly, but not let them watch television constantly, said Kelso-McDowell, who also counsels at Astoria Middle School. Both schools are attempting to compile a list of children directly affected by the war so school employees can better serve them.

Students have already asked her to talk about the war, and she believes even young children know about it. Parents should draw their children into discussions by letting them know many people are worried about wars, Kelso-McDowell said.

On the school yard

Lewis and Clark Elementary Principal Craig Hoppes said he and other administrators decided to keep the day as normal as possible for students. He asked teachers to keep the televisions off. Some teachers in the upper grades discuss the war in their classroom as they study current events publications, Hoppes said.

Kenia Torrez, a fourth-grade student, said her class has discussed the potential for bombings in the war.

“Saddam Hussein is a mean guy,” she said. “We’re safe over here.”

Kenia’s comments echo those of a second grade student at Hilda Lahti Elementary, who listed the reasons to enjoy life in Knappa: “It is far away from Iraq.”

Hoppes said he’s been trying to protect students from spreading misinformation about the war that may scare other students.

“We are answering them with very factual information, not personal thoughts,” he said.

Fourth-grade student Michael Stoffelsen said he has spoken about the war with a girl, who he’s been friends with “since third grade.”

“I think it’s not good to go to war, because people die and their families start crying,” he said. “All people do is get sad and get yelled at.”

Michael said a friend told him the war was about oil.

“All the president’s doing is trying to get all the oil in the world,” he said. “And Iraq wouldn’t give him oil.”

Third-grade student Arine Mayfield said she spoken about the war with her family.

“My parents have been talking about it and telling me they’re all fighting for our freedom,” she said. “My mom’s been telling me that the girls there have to wear scarfs over their faces.”

Another student, Nathan Maize, 10, said a friend’s parents are in the service, and he hopes the war will finish quickly.

“I support the war so people can get freedom,” he said.

Another fourth-grader, Brenda Nielson said, all she knows is, “Osama blew something up” and she’s not sure what that has to do with Iraq.

“I think it’s all just crazy,” Brenda said. “Why can’t we just get along?”

Warrenton schools began spring vacation Thursday. Other Clatsop County schools will break for spring vacation next week.