Military tributes at baseball games: True honors or hollow gestures?

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Sat, 23 May 2015 21:13:11 -0400

The authenticity of some military tributes at sporting events came into question earlier this month, when the Department of Defense was revealed to have used taxpayer money to pay teams to stage them.

Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) brought the practice to light when he outlined how the New York Jets accepted $115,000 from the National Guard to host ceremonies, including one that recognized a “Hometown Hero” on the field. Flake requested detailed information on the practice from the Department of Defense. While the results have not returned, Flake’s office found that teams from every league, including the NCAA, have contracts with the Department of Defense.

“Most of the teams do these salutes without compensation, without a contract,” Flake said. “Some may have a local sponsor for it, which they note, or they just do it as a goodwill gesture from the team. It’s always a popular item. It’s probably almost as popular as the Kiss Cam. There’s not a lack of patriotism at these games. People stand up during the Star-Spangled Banner, and that’s a great thing. When you have this sponsored by the taxpayer or by the military, it just kind of, I think, diminishes the efforts of the teams and other who do it on their own.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/military-tributes-at-baseball-games-true-honors-or-hollow-gestures/2015/05/23/3dc36364-0154-11e5-833c-a2de05b6b2a4_story.html?hpid=z6

As military tributes become routine at ballparks, new doubts about sincerity

The ceremonies have become so ubiquitous — and branded — that some ask if they’re hollow gestures.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2015 9:36 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 May 2015 21:36:44 -0400

I think the ones where there is military participation would tend to be genuine.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2015 9:35 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 May 2015 21:35:11 -0400

At first glance I suppose you would be upset. But if you think about it a little it is nothing but paying for advertising. I really don't see any difference whether they buy into NASCAR or stage the games. If it brings good qualified individuals then okay.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 23 at 2015 9:39 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sat, 23 May 2015 21:39:57 -0400

It would be nice if someone else picked up the tab but sometimes you got to pay for your own PR. Oh Well.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2015 9:39 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 May 2015 21:39:22 -0400

The people who buy the tickets to these games; who stand and cheer after the National Anthem show me that the patriotism is real.

Response by SGT Lawrence Corser made May 23 at 2015 10:50 PM

SGT Lawrence Corser — Sat, 23 May 2015 22:50:13 -0400

depends on if it is like the NFL where they make the troops actually pay, or they are doing it out of the general kindness of the idea.

Response by LCpl Todd Houston made May 24 at 2015 5:51 AM

LCpl Todd Houston — Sun, 24 May 2015 05:51:04 -0400

While I would hope that a $115,000 gesture is not the same as a $115,000 commercial (nascar for example), it most certainly is possible. However, lets face it, $115,000 is not a lot of money in the grand scheme of things. So, taking money to pay for expenses I don't particularly think indicates that a particular institution is any less than another when it comes to being patriotic. For example, there are thousands of companies that offer discounts or "freebies" on memorial or veterans day. It is still advertising. They do, can and will receive additional revenue throughout the year and not a one of them would be accused of being disingenuous. Being philanthropic with my meager income to charity A and not charity B does not mean that I do not believe that charity B is any less important. It just means that charity A is where I have decided to give my money. Think about it, how many folks donate to charity just because they are getting a tax benefit? I use to work for a company that touted all the hours it's employees donated to the community, all while wearing the company's name. Was the giving worth while? Absolutely. Would the company have done it without the press? Probably not. Not only that, the company was not allowing those employees to volunteer "on the clock". The employees had to do this on their time. So, tell me this, was the company really the one doing the donating?

Response by SGT James Allen made May 24 at 2015 8:47 AM

SGT James Allen — Sun, 24 May 2015 08:47:37 -0400

I'm not exactly on point here, but it seems like a good place to comment on something that bothers me:
We already sing The National Anthem before a baseball game starts. The 7th inning stretch is for Take Me Out to the Ball Game. I don't think we need God Bless America after the 7th inning anymore. I fully understand why they started doing it after 9/11 but I think it's time to stop. I think one patriotic display per baseball game is enough. Tradition in baseball is important, and I would like it to return to the way it used to be.
Oh, and the DH; we should get rid of that too.