This past week, I attended a premier international equestrian competition - the FEI World Cup Finals for Dressage and Show Jumping. Something like 23 countries were represented.
At the semi-final round of the show jumping, a family (I think) was seated two rows in front of me. I won't bother to describe the entire family - suffice it to say that the adult male (presumably the father) was attired in sequin studded eyeglasses and cap, as was the son - probably in the 20 - 25 Yr, age range.
It so happened that a German national won that leg of the event, so at the awards ceremony, they played the German National Anthem, and the announcer asked everyone to "Stand and remove cover" to show proper respect. The two yahoos (father and son) in front of me stood, but did not take off their hats, nor did they stand respectfully - instead they did a lot of gesturing and general "jacking around". That kind of ticked me off, but I bit my tongue and didn't do anything about it.
The next day at the finals, the only one of that crew that was there in time for the opening ceremony was the "kid". During the presentation of the flag and playing and singing of the 'Star Spangled Banner', the kid kept his hat on, did lots of stretching and gawking around, and generally seemed totally unaware of the fact that this was a situation that should have been met with some degree of respect.
That really ticked me off! I am a Vietnam Vet and retired Air Force Officer, and I remember all too well the greeting those of us lucky enough to come home alive received upon our return. I don't take well to displays of disrespect for our country and our flag.
When the last notes of the Anthem had sounded, I stepped down to the kid's row, tapped him on the shoulder, and when he turned around, I snatched the cap off his head, shoved it into his chest, and said "The next time you hear the National Anthem, take off your cap and show some respect". The kid's eyes were about the size of saucers, but he didn't say a word. I went back to my seat and no one around me said a word either. Later the father and the rest of the group arrived and I expected some kind of confrontation, but nothing happened.
Interestingly enough, during the closing ceremony at the end of the competition they played the U.S. National Anthem again. The father was not wearing a hat, but the kid snatched his cap off and held it over his heart. He still goofed around more than I liked, but sometimes you have to take pleasure in even a small victory.
My wife and daughter were late for the start of the event too, so they did not witness this episode, but when I told them what had happened, they seemed to think I should have been more diplomatic - maybe not snatching the kid's cap off his head - maybe just pointing out to him in a more gentle fashion that he should show proper respect to the flag.
I think that if I had done that, he would have just shrugged it off and not learned a thing. Regardless, it was worth it to see his eyeballs bug out when I grabbed his cap. By the way - he probably stood 6 inches taller and outweighed me by 50 pounds, so it's not like I was beating up on a poor little kid.
Did I over react?? I'm interested in your opinions.
Sorry for the long rant -- Blkcat out.
At the semi-final round of the show jumping, a family (I think) was seated two rows in front of me. I won't bother to describe the entire family - suffice it to say that the adult male (presumably the father) was attired in sequin studded eyeglasses and cap, as was the son - probably in the 20 - 25 Yr, age range.
It so happened that a German national won that leg of the event, so at the awards ceremony, they played the German National Anthem, and the announcer asked everyone to "Stand and remove cover" to show proper respect. The two yahoos (father and son) in front of me stood, but did not take off their hats, nor did they stand respectfully - instead they did a lot of gesturing and general "jacking around". That kind of ticked me off, but I bit my tongue and didn't do anything about it.
The next day at the finals, the only one of that crew that was there in time for the opening ceremony was the "kid". During the presentation of the flag and playing and singing of the 'Star Spangled Banner', the kid kept his hat on, did lots of stretching and gawking around, and generally seemed totally unaware of the fact that this was a situation that should have been met with some degree of respect.
That really ticked me off! I am a Vietnam Vet and retired Air Force Officer, and I remember all too well the greeting those of us lucky enough to come home alive received upon our return. I don't take well to displays of disrespect for our country and our flag.
When the last notes of the Anthem had sounded, I stepped down to the kid's row, tapped him on the shoulder, and when he turned around, I snatched the cap off his head, shoved it into his chest, and said "The next time you hear the National Anthem, take off your cap and show some respect". The kid's eyes were about the size of saucers, but he didn't say a word. I went back to my seat and no one around me said a word either. Later the father and the rest of the group arrived and I expected some kind of confrontation, but nothing happened.
Interestingly enough, during the closing ceremony at the end of the competition they played the U.S. National Anthem again. The father was not wearing a hat, but the kid snatched his cap off and held it over his heart. He still goofed around more than I liked, but sometimes you have to take pleasure in even a small victory.
My wife and daughter were late for the start of the event too, so they did not witness this episode, but when I told them what had happened, they seemed to think I should have been more diplomatic - maybe not snatching the kid's cap off his head - maybe just pointing out to him in a more gentle fashion that he should show proper respect to the flag.
I think that if I had done that, he would have just shrugged it off and not learned a thing. Regardless, it was worth it to see his eyeballs bug out when I grabbed his cap. By the way - he probably stood 6 inches taller and outweighed me by 50 pounds, so it's not like I was beating up on a poor little kid.
Did I over react?? I'm interested in your opinions.
Sorry for the long rant -- Blkcat out.
