Have we become un-patriotic?
I was at a couple of sporting events over the weekend (o.k., they were on TV), but I noticed that many of the people in the stands and those actually playing the game did not put their hands over their hearts (although those in uniform did salute as they should) when the National Anthem was sung, and the flag raised. I can understand if you're not a citizen of this country, but as the camera panned across the stands, it appeared like the vast majority of folks were content to keep their hands by their sides. That's a shame considering all the blood that's been shed over our nation's symbols. And yet, we're willing to curse at people who dare make a statement by satirizing the Anthem or Burning the Flag. I guess what I'm saying is if you're not willing to salute or respect the Anthem or the Flag, then you're essentially satirizing/burning it in your own way! Think about that.
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Anonymous comments are allowed, just keep them clean, o.k.
posted by Mike at 6:19 AM
1 Comments:
Conduct during the playing of the National Athem is spelled out in the US Code, Chapter 10, Title 36, Paragraph 171: "During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should render the military salute at the first note of the anthem and retain this position until the last note. When the flag is not displayed, those present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed there."
I'm not sure that it's a patriotism issue as much as it's a question of knowledge. I honestly think that many people don't know to face the flag and place their hand over their heart. Or perhaps, sadly, they feel awkward doing it if they see others aren't doing it. I also believe that most children aren't taught flag etiquette anymore, so they grow up unaware of the "rules" for displaying and honoring the flag.
Last year, a real estate agent put small flags in everyone's yard with his business card attached. I called and read him the riot act about the flag not being used for business purposes and I referred him to the same section of the US Code cited above. He had never heard of any of the rules (at least that's what he claimed).
The solution for this lack of etiquette would be for the stadium announcers to say, "Please rise for our national anthem, and please face the flag as you respectfully place your right hand over your heart."
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