Disrespect

When I was up in Maryland visiting my son and his family two weeks ago, I went to a swim meet in which my granddaughter and grandson were enrolled. (We don’t compete anymore, as that suggests winners and losers—but that is material for another column.)

The event was held at a public swimming pool in Columbia, Maryland, and there were about 100 adults there, and also 150 juveniles between the age of 4 and 18 years.

To start the meet the emcee played a recording of The Star Spangled Banner and made the usual announcement about standing to honor the nation. This was on a Saturday, two days before Flag Day, so people should have had an extra awareness of the spirit of the National Anthem.

When the song began, I stood and placed my right hand over my heart as is customary, although I sometimes salute the flag in the military fashion, a practice that has recently been recommended for any veterans.

I looked around and was shocked to see that only abut a half-dozen other adults and not a single child was following tradition. Most stood with hands at their sides, a few did take off their hats, and some continued talking and visiting with their neighbors.

The action was so out of place that I stood even taller and at attention, and I moved my hand to the salute for the last phrase just to emphasize the sad situation. No one else responded to my cue.

It is truly sad that we have lost our moral and patriotic compass to a point that we don’t even honor our traditions, our flag, or our National Anthem anymore.

http://www.usflag.org/uscode36.html#171

Of course, it doesn’t help that we have a chief executive who sets the example by also refusing to place his hand over his heart during the playing of The Star Spangled Banner. In fact, he even holds press conferences with no American Flag displayed.

I hope that, if you are one of those who has forgotten or neglected the protocol for the playing of our National Anthem, or if you know someone who has lapsed into the bad habits of so many, you will educate them and set the example on the upcoming day of celebrating our independence.

With that admonition, I wish you a happy and safe Independence Day, which falls on Sunday this year, even though you will probably have Monday off. Celebrate it on the actual day if you can. It is a significant day in our history and deserves our respect.

PS: Remember to thank our military personnel for their service, too.