I've lived a long time now, and I'm privileged to have personally toured many sacred battle sites here on U.S. soil. I've been to Manassas, Gettysburg, Vicksburg, Bunker Hill and other places where our forebears fought, spilled blood and died for our country. A number of my direct ancestors fought in the American Revolution, one of whom directly under George Washington. My great-grandfather fought in the Civil War for the Union. I had relatives in both WWI and WWII. My uncle served as an officer during WWII. My stepfather-in-law fought in both WWII and Korea. Two of my best friends lost their lives in Vietnam. I cried while rubbing their names at the Black Wall. I myself was an officer in the U.S. Army.
I was on my high school ROTC color guard which raised the flag every school morning. At the time that "To the colors" was played, all students, teachers and support people faced the flag, hands over their hearts, and remained silent and still until the flag was raised and the bugle call was completed.
What I'm trying to convey is that our Flag MEANS something to me, and when the National Anthem is played, I stand up, and I've earned the right as a veteran to salute while it's played.
At home as boy, my father taught me that whenever I heard the national anthem on radio or TV, I was to stand up and shut up.
To me, there is no conflict between freedom of speech and respect for our country. Both go hand in hand. But practicing one at the same time an enormous respect for the other is called for, but to me, is an obligation, well... now you know how I feel.
We have people serving in the Middle East right now, who have signed on the dotted line that they will give their lives, if necessary, to defend our way of life. A number of them come home in coffins draped with our precious flag.
I'm old and I remember all the sacrifices made by so many for our flag and country.
Here's a picture of my wife and me at Valley Forge. That is George Washington's headquarters in the background.
Please forgive me for sounding off. If you have differing opinions, I understand and I will respect that. You can even burn the flag if you want to. That's a right enshrined in the Constitution I swore to defend. But don't expect me to be thrilled if you do.
John
I was on my high school ROTC color guard which raised the flag every school morning. At the time that "To the colors" was played, all students, teachers and support people faced the flag, hands over their hearts, and remained silent and still until the flag was raised and the bugle call was completed.
What I'm trying to convey is that our Flag MEANS something to me, and when the National Anthem is played, I stand up, and I've earned the right as a veteran to salute while it's played.
At home as boy, my father taught me that whenever I heard the national anthem on radio or TV, I was to stand up and shut up.
To me, there is no conflict between freedom of speech and respect for our country. Both go hand in hand. But practicing one at the same time an enormous respect for the other is called for, but to me, is an obligation, well... now you know how I feel.
We have people serving in the Middle East right now, who have signed on the dotted line that they will give their lives, if necessary, to defend our way of life. A number of them come home in coffins draped with our precious flag.
I'm old and I remember all the sacrifices made by so many for our flag and country.
Here's a picture of my wife and me at Valley Forge. That is George Washington's headquarters in the background.
Please forgive me for sounding off. If you have differing opinions, I understand and I will respect that. You can even burn the flag if you want to. That's a right enshrined in the Constitution I swore to defend. But don't expect me to be thrilled if you do.
John
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