Posted on Jan 31, 2014
Paying respect at sporting events? Should or should you not?
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Recently, I went to an AHL Hockey Game. In front of where I was seated along with my sisters and one of my sisters boyfriends. Four teens did not stand when that announcement was made to please stand for the Flag (Had a town Police Honor Guard posting the Colors) and the National Anthem. My sister who is in the Air Guard said something to them. And they did not budge. Others around us, were not to thrilled with them either. I for one am not to thrilled with this generation of kids, but not standing for the National Anthem or paying Respect to the flag of the United States is not right. I know that when the Canadian Anthem is played, we Americans will still respect their flag. The Same for all other countries and anthems.
What say all of you?
What say all of you?
Posted in these groups: 
National Anthem
National Anthem
Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 23
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One of the many freedoms we enjoy as Americans is the freedom of choice, although probably not the best way to express that freedom to not stand and pay respect, is unfortunately still a freedom of choice and because of those freedoms "respect" given to such honors as our National Anthem are shrugged off more and more in our society. The only thing any of us can do is educate people on the importance of paying respect. Of course, a good old fashioned ass whooping works too!
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SFC (Join to see)
I believe that anytime the national anthem is sang or the flag is flown, respect should be given regardless of the venue or situation.
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SFC (Join to see)
Im with SFC Farrin, but with the Caveat that 1SG Rink stated. It sucks to see such disrespect, to hear the words that some people say, but we as Americans have this right, no matter what, and we defend that right. I try my best to educate people when Im out and about and see such, but in the end, it is their right to do, or not do.
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SGT Thomas Lucken
I agree with choice and if a individual does not stand at our High School baseball/softball games, they will be told to leave or escorted out by the police! And it has happened once, I exercised my rights to deny them on the property during games! Just short to having them banned permanently! So choice goes both ways.
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CW3 (Join to see)
What if the individual claims they are a Jehovas Witness? I went to elementary school with one, and she had religious reasons for not standing for the pledge.
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SSG Oliver Mathews
Funny part is... Westburo keeps trying to do there stuff in texas...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/06/texas-am-students_n_1653002.html
added to the PGR... Yea they dont have an easy time of it
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/06/texas-am-students_n_1653002.html
added to the PGR... Yea they dont have an easy time of it
Hundreds of Texas A&M students gathered this week to form a human wall around the funeral service of a soldier to protect his family from Westboro Baptist Church protesters, KBTX.com reports.
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SSG V. Michelle Woods
Oh good Lord, I hope they don't bring their guns...
And yes in Texas we call them GUNS not weapons lol!
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Drive me crazy too! The sad fact is that it is ubiquitous. Every sporting event I've been to in the last decade has had some group of disrespectful knuckleheads who have no idea how fortunate they are to live in the greatest country to ever grace the planet....all products of the "your special generation" that have no commitment to anything but themselves.
I never miss an opportunity to straighten out my kids, and am fortunate that they seem to get it. Many of their friends however clearly do not even when somebody says something to them and sets the good example we should all set.
What has become of our country?
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So sad to see this. Funny thing happened to me the other day at the 2014 All Star Game. I was wearing my Navy Ballcap and when the National Anthem started I did what I usually do at games...I saluted. I am proud to do this but I heard someone behind me 'whisper' that I was still wearing my hat. Probably going to keep doing it!!
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SPC Randy Torgerson
Mmm, if I remember correctly, didn't the American Legion or some other veteran organization help get a bill past a few years ago that said veterans were allowed to solute as opposed to placing your hand over your heart? Can someone clear this up?
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SSgt Lonnie Montgomery
SPC Torgerson, The “National Defense Authorization act of 2008” and the “Defense Authorization Act of 2009” had previsions on rendering the hand solute. Short version is if you are military out of uniform or a military veteran you can render a hand solute during the raising, lowering or passing of “colors,” as well as during our National Anthem. No other group has earned this honor while not in uniform but our military and Veterans!
So MCPO Korman, I guarantee you had many watching you with admiration. I applaud you for saluting. I hope it becomes contagious for military not in uniform as military Veterans. How else are we going to teach our young if not by example? Show a little pride for our young are indeed watching show them how it should be done, be a role model.
So MCPO Korman, I guarantee you had many watching you with admiration. I applaud you for saluting. I hope it becomes contagious for military not in uniform as military Veterans. How else are we going to teach our young if not by example? Show a little pride for our young are indeed watching show them how it should be done, be a role model.
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The best children I've seen showing respect to the American Flag and our National Anthem are military children. I live on base in family housing and it is heartwarming to watch military children (of all ages) outdoors stop playing and paying their respects to the National Anthem when played on base everyday at 1700hrs.
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SSgt Lonnie Montgomery
Lt Col Rojas,
Absolutely agree with you. I have also seen teenagers pull their vehicles to the side of the road and TURN their music OFF to show respect. It just goes to show that parents and those adults that they are in contact with them have a huge influence in a young person’s life if we just take the time to show and teach them.
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Respect is no longer taught nor practiced in our schools. Adults that are in role model positions have failed these kids as well. So suggest to them when you can but always show them how it should be done for they probably have never seen it before. If you are active duty not in uniform or a veteran show the proper hand solute. They are indeed watching be a role model.
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I must say I think your sister handled it better than I could have. I would have lost my mind and been all over them. A tongue lashing would have ensued and I would have not settled for anything less than standing and paying the proper respect.
I see it from another point of view - they were uneducated and were screaming to be taught one hell of a lesson.
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in 2007 Senator Jim Inhofe was able to get this bill passed!!
INHOFE LEGISLATION ALLOWS VETERANS TO SALUTE THE FLAG
Thursday, July 26, 2007
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) today praised the passage by unanimous consent of his bill (S.1877) clarifying U.S. law to allow veterans and servicemen not in uniform to salute the flag. Current law (US Code Title 4, Chapter
1) states that veterans and servicemen not in uniform should place their hand over their heart without clarifying whether they can or should salute the flag.
“The salute is a form of honor and respect, representing pride in one’s military service,” Senator Inhofe said. “Veterans and service members continue representing the military services even when not in uniform.
“Unfortunately, current U.S. law leaves confusion as to whether veterans and service members out of uniform can or should salute the flag. My legislation will clarify this regulation, allowing veterans and servicemen alike to salute the flag, whether they are in uniform or not.
“I look forward to seeing those who have served saluting proudly at baseball games, parades, and formal events. I believe this is an appropriate way to honor and recognize the 25 million veterans in the United States who have served in the military and remain as role models to others citizens. Those who are currently serving or have served in the military have earned this right, and their recognition will be an inspiration to others.”
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INHOFE LEGISLATION ALLOWS VETERANS TO SALUTE THE FLAG
Thursday, July 26, 2007
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) today praised the passage by unanimous consent of his bill (S.1877) clarifying U.S. law to allow veterans and servicemen not in uniform to salute the flag. Current law (US Code Title 4, Chapter
1) states that veterans and servicemen not in uniform should place their hand over their heart without clarifying whether they can or should salute the flag.
“The salute is a form of honor and respect, representing pride in one’s military service,” Senator Inhofe said. “Veterans and service members continue representing the military services even when not in uniform.
“Unfortunately, current U.S. law leaves confusion as to whether veterans and service members out of uniform can or should salute the flag. My legislation will clarify this regulation, allowing veterans and servicemen alike to salute the flag, whether they are in uniform or not.
“I look forward to seeing those who have served saluting proudly at baseball games, parades, and formal events. I believe this is an appropriate way to honor and recognize the 25 million veterans in the United States who have served in the military and remain as role models to others citizens. Those who are currently serving or have served in the military have earned this right, and their recognition will be an inspiration to others.”
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As much as it burns my ass when some punkassed individuals do not show the proper respect that the flag and national anthem deserve, they have the freedom to express themselves thusly. Now, I have been guilty of something that others felt was disrespectful way back in either Jan or Feb '91..was at the Chief's Den on Ft. Carson, enlisted club back when we still had those on base for you youngsters, and at some point during the evening they played Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA", and myself and a couple other young SGTs did not jump to our feet like the group of self-appointed "Cowboy Mafia" at a table next to us did. Now by this time DS had been underway for a while and we SGTs were more or less sulking in our adult beverages because we "were stuck" at Ft. Carson as opposed to being with our brothers and sisters-in-arms in the Middle East. The young rednecks tried to enforce their particular brand of patriotism on us by running their soup coolers until the point where, after explaining that we had earned the right not to "HAVE" to stand during this song, we had to physically express to them how things worked. Luckily the MPs that showed up were kind enough to simply inform everyone to go their separate ways and for the "Cowboy Mafia" to police up their wounded and be very careful about not trying to impose their views on their "elders" again lol!!
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Not necessarily a direct response to your original question, but it pisses me off to no end to see professional sports players (such as the members of the Broncos and Seahawks organizations) make millions of dollars to play a game but cannot stand still and place their hand over their heart for one minute.
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TSgt Scott Hurley
You're right about that. In Hockey, you have players from other countries playing, and they pay respect to our flag and national anthem. They are not required to put their hand over their hearts, but they are standing.
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