Saying that putting a hand over your heart is patriotic is the equivalent of reposting an article you didn't write on social media and calling it activism. It takes virtually no effort and the only people who will applaud it are people with a similar life experience to your own. Good on OP for serving but if you think for one minute because I'm standing quietly with my hands at my side that I'm showing a lack of respect or irreverence you're just wrong.
Thanks for appreciating my service and for clarifying why you don't participate in our traditions, even though you respect them.
This.I don't even understand why the national anthem is played before sporting events. I get it being played in public school events. Those events are funded by the government. That's appropriate. But it has always stricken me as incredibly strange that they play them before professional sporting events. Sporting events are entertainment - nothing more. And you can't find another example of entertainment in which the anthem is played. They don't play the national anthem before movies. They don't play the national anthem before concerts. They don't play the national anthem before plays or musicals. So why do they play them before professional sporting events? I just don't get it.
If you look up the history of the National Anthem it explains why. It has evolved as a tradition from way back in the history of sports.
I like the anthem before games. Tradition? Ritual? A symbolic act of respect for the game/players/nation? I don't know. I don't give it that much thought. Provides a good 'start' to me. I'm not concerned about wearing out the anthem, or diminishing its relevance. What are you saving it for? I stand up. I remove my hat. I don't put my hand on my heart. Sometimes I mumble along.
I think American traditions have more of a tendency to be lost in big cities than in small town America, so responses to my opinion could be far different in different forums.
most people standup, keep queit/still, and even sing while the national anthem is being played.. those are more important gestures of respect than merely putting your hand on your chest..
This. I actually like the whole gesture of it, even though I've always thought we should replace the national anthem (just personally; it's so darned bellicose). I love This Land is Your Land and wouldn't mind that mixed in occasionally.
btw..., My favorite anthem is the old Soviet anthem. No wonder those fackers went into battle like animals. A strong 2nd is the La Marseillaise, wonderful tune.
Fanatical patriotism is bad. That said, be thankful that you do have a country to pledge allegiance to. I am not surprised that a lot of Americans have your view. Many people in other parts of the world see Americans as entitled snobs taking things they enjoy for granted. I still remember how moved I was when I first came to this country and experienced the first national anthem before the first ball game I attended. Now I don't think it is good to repeat it every game. But do it in some big national sports event is good IMO.
Thanks for sharing your view. Sometimes old traditions seem irrelevant to others, and it may be hard to accept for those who don't believe in them. I think my beliefs may be stronger than many for a few reasons, and not simply because I am a veteran. My ancestors came over from Europe before America was a country. Some of them helped fight for our freedom and independence. My grandparents on both sides of my family were hard working farmers in the Midwest, in places where everybody knew everybody, and people helped each other out on their farms in times of need. That was a very traditional background, far removed from the business of making it rich, no matter what the cost, who you step on to get there, or who it hurts. I guess I identify more with traditional values.
I'm not sure why my post was quoted, but I was referring to the idea that someone would think they don't owe anything they have to the people who served this nation in the military. I think to believe that would be a mistake and demonstrates a misunderstanding.
