Posted by
jarhead on Tuesday, July 03, 2007 4:12:41 PM
I was at a local public event recently and at one point the national anthem was played. I stopped in my tracks, put my hand over my heart and paid my respects as it was sung (we weren't singing along but thats OK). Around me were folks continuing to have discussions, drinking beer with hats on and oblivious to the anthem and a few folks walking out-unconcerned that their nations anthem was being played. I was appalled.
In discussing this later with some folks at work I've come to understand what is behind some of this. While those of us who are older or served in our nations armed forces or police forces have come to understand the ediquite for properly observing the anthem, the flag and the pledge of allegience many more have not learned those valuable lessons. When I was a child in school we said the pledge every morning. At school events we did the same and you stood for the flag if it was being brought into the room or area. I also learned to respect the flag for what it stands for.
In U. S. History I learned about this nations struggles to come into existence, about its unique place in the world as a great example of what a diverse people can achieve when they respect each others differences while still working together for the good of the whole by succeeding individually; succeeding individually by taking advantage of this nations great gift to its citizens-the gift of unfettered opportunity in a free and democratic society. Our nations traditions and achievements are unique in the history of the world. And while it has not always been a work of perfection, we have much to be proud of and, more importantly, we all have an obligation to understand our history and traditions so we can all work together to continue this grand experiment. There have been very heavy prices paid through out our history to maintain our great nation. Understanding that our freedoms are not free is part of what respecting our nations symbols is about.
In talking to my co-workers I came to understand that today's children do not necessarily say the anthem every morning. Nor do our history books necessarily tell the full and wonderful story of our nations founding, its founding principles and how those principles have been pursued with determination and, as with the Civil War, the spilling of much blood so that we can one day be as good as the words that sparked our beginnings so long ago-"We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the prusuit of happiness." Unique in all the world not just in the writing but in the reality of our nations traditions right down to today.
We may need a public service campaign to get everyone to understand what our great nations is really about, how unique it is and how important it is that all of us who enjoy its great gifts to take a few minutes out and respect the anthem and the passing of the flag-for our children as well as ourselves. They stand for something far greater and more wonderful than a few simple words can possibly convey.