UNITED STATES CODE TITLE 36
CHAPTER 10§171. Conduct during playing (National Anthem)
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.OK, so that's the history lesson according to The United States Code & Patriotic Customs. Most Americans know this and adhere to it. Being a US Army Veteran, I take this code of conduct very seriously, and get furious when anyone (especially US citizens) disrespect the flag & the customs during the playing of our National Anthem! Too many lives were lost in defending our beliefs and our freedoms in protection of that flag. I feel strongly for everything it represents. Many of those who did not serve in defense of our country do not and will NEVER understand what it truly stands for. Hence, this blog post...
I was listening to ESPN radio this afternoon. Michele Tafoya, a columnist & reporter for ESPN, must have read my mind. She was at the Lakers vs. Boston NBA final Game 3 last night. We shared the exact same feelings in regards to what has been an event of rising occurrence in, most notably in the indoors arenas of the NBA. I cannot comment on all other pro sports.
Any hoo...I am watching the NBA finals and see the performance of the National Anthem. As I'm watching the athletes, some staring at the floor, some wiggling in place working out the jitters, some singing the words-hand over heart...I notice something. There are cameras that scan back and forth in the faces of the players on the court, and those cameras then broadcast the players faces up on the jumbo-tron screens. As different players faces appear on the screen, the crowd reacts. Some boos pour out when Kevin Garnett's face appears, roars of applause and cheer for Kobe Bryant. There's even some goofing off, high-fiving, laughing...AND ALL OF THIS IS OCCURRING DURING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM!
What happened to placing your hand over your heart, facing the flag and shutting your mouth during National Anthem?! Did I miss something?! Since when is it okay for the NBA to ENCOURAGE this reprehensible behavior?! Since when is it acceptable to leave your hat on during the National Anthem, gentlemen?! Since when is it more important to watch the players faces flash on the "big screen" instead of focusing on our National Flag during the playing of our National Anthem?! And don't get me started on people talking on their cell phones!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!
I'm scared to think what are we teaching our youth by allowing this shameful behavior to continue to be displayed on national television. And all of those kids and adults AT the game are caught up in it by the NBA distracting them from what's truly important. I understand the players all have their own routine during the Star Spangled Banner, but at least they aren't disrupting the anthem.
This type of media presentation by the NBA, or any other sport who sponsors something similar during our National Anthem, must cease immediately. It is improper and disgraceful and as a veteran, I'm outraged by it. Listen, it's not all the NBA's fault. I know this, so I'll get off that soap box. It's a problem with everyday America, and we've all allowed it to escalate to this point.
So it's time to step up America. It's time to MAN UP (pardon the gender specific phrase) and show your true patriotism by not allowing yourselves to be so easily distracted during the National Anthem. It's also time to start correcting others when they are being disrespectful. Face the flag... if you must make noise, SING THE WORDS... and if you aren't in uniform, your hand goes over your heart (that's your RIGHT hand). It's time to give the respect to our COLORS & our ANTHEM that they deserve...no, demand. Now THAT would be patriotic.
1LT Josh Lowe
US Army Signal Corps...sounding off
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2 comments:
I had to leave a comment on this one, because it too is something that has bothered me to my very core for many years. I cannot hear the Anthem without getting choked up. I can't believe that even at our local Coliseum the big screen shows the crowd, waving at the camera, and yes even on their freaking phones during the National Anthem! I would like to know how much money the cameraman makes to reject his own need to take off his headset, and place his hand over his heart? Or is this just the same ignorance we see so many other places? It is a sad time to see that while still at war our country has so little respect for the flag and our National Anthem. This ignorance surely is adding to the already selfish generation of teenagers who have little values, and know nothing about what it has taken, and continues to take to defend their freedom. Really great post Yosh!
I agree- 100%
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