I am old fashioned. I was raised in the old school. Thanks be to God.
I will say in advance that this blog is dedicated to music ministry, with the occasional tale of my training for running and triathalon events. However, it is also my voice to the world, and I have something to say to people in the United States…
Friday night my friend Heather (Holy Trinity’s Childrens Minister) organized a family night at Turner Field. It was wonderful. Being a Braves fan, I loaded my family into the van and headed into Atlanta. After arriving near our section, we were walking outside the gate area heading to our seats. Because I was running a few minutes late, we heard our National Anthem announced while we were still out in the concourse. I cannot believe what happened next.
As the singing of the first line began, “Oh say can you see”, my family and I stopped and faced towards the gate where we could see out into the area of the field. As I stood there still and silent, hands by my side, I became aware that the people still sitting on the ground behind me were still shoving hot dogs in their face. The Atlanta Police were still walking around. Kids in front of us were running after one another playing tag. Few people stopped. Fewer knew why we were standing still. I was furious. I still am. What has happened to America?
Here is a link on Flag Etiquette. You owe it to yourself to have a basic understanding of what should happen when the flag of our great nation is being presented, marching by, or displayed. Referring to the above situation, you may point put that because we were in the concourse area of the ballpark, that people weren’t obligated to stop and show respect to our flag or the Anthem being sung.
I say horse puckey. If you can see the flag or hear the music, you owe it to the people that died under that flag, or stood to defend it, to stand up and show some respect. Can’t get behind that idea? Then know this…you have the right to feed your face while that song is being played, even though it makes me boil inside. That freedom is what this country is all about. We are blessed to be here.
Let’s talk about it. Am I over the top, or is there a real respect issue here?
Happy 4th of July. Greg
It’s ironic, isn’t it, that the flag that represents freedom throughout the world provides all of us living under it’s protection the freedom to respect it… or not. Much like free will, if it mandated a response to it, we wouldn’t be free. I’m grateful we live in a country that gives us the freedom to live and respond as we choose to. God bless America!
I agree completely, although I will admit to not always being as observant as I should be.
I do recall walking into Disneyland one evening during a business trip, just as the flag was being retired from it’s position at the south end of Main Street. I stopped. My coworkers took a few more steps, realized what I had done, and stopped. As I remember it, maybe about a third of the park guests were standing at attention (or some close approximation of it); the rest were just going along with their visit to the park. I was more disappointed than angry, I think, but I understand where you’re coming from.