So I went with a buddy to the UNC/Notre Dame game played in Greensboro a couple weeks back. As the national anthem was playing, I stood and respectfully faced the flag with my hands clasped behind my back, like I always have. Out of nowhere, I took a nasty elbow to the ribs from the little old lady beside me, who said "what's a matter?....YOU DON'T LOVE YOUR COUNTRY??? Put your hand over your heart!" I just stood there in shock, not knowing what to say, but at that point I refused to be 'guilted' into covering my heart just to make her happy. I consider myself a very proud member of the USA. Was I wrong? Is it required to cover your heart? She was apparently so disgusted by me that she switched seats with a family member down the row....
OT: is it required?
- Thread starter St.PatterSoN-54-
- Start date
(a)Designation.—
The composition consisting of the words and music known as the Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem.
(b)Conduct During Playing.—During a rendition of the national anthem—
(1) when the flag is displayed—
(A)
individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note;
(B)
members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute in the manner provided for individuals in uniform; and
(C)
all other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, and men not in uniform, if applicable, should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart; and
(2)
when the flag is not displayed, all present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed.
The composition consisting of the words and music known as the Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem.
(b)Conduct During Playing.—During a rendition of the national anthem—
(1) when the flag is displayed—
(A)
individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note;
(B)
members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute in the manner provided for individuals in uniform; and
(C)
all other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, and men not in uniform, if applicable, should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart; and
(2)
when the flag is not displayed, all present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed.
Many old people get set in their beliefs and look down on anybody that doesn't share that view . Respecting your elders has nothing to do with adhering to their beliefs , you did nothing wrong .
So many people stand hands clasped together either in the front or the back. Not many people in stadiums actually place their hand over their heart. The fact that you were standing in silence is tribute enough if that's how you want respect the flag.
Yes He did.
(C)
all other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, and men not in uniform, if applicable, should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart; and
Obviously it offended her, and perhaps for good reason. Maybe she lost someone in service to the country. But that doesn't mean she loves or respects our great country more than I do. I wonder if she also elbows people who very poorly sing the lyrics to the anthem?
I am a little older, but in grade school every morning we would stand and say the pledge to allegiance and place our hand over our heart. I always thought you would stand at attention for the National Anthem. I guess it make sense to place your hand over your heart for both.
Let an old **** elbow me I'll release ten types of allah On her ***
I would have enjoyed to see her next to Colpernik when he sat down, LOL
You can really guess posters age by their response.
I'm 75, I don't need to post my opinion,you already know it.
Many today don't know the price of freedom.
Freedom is not free, even if I/You/We didn't get the bill.
I'm 75, I don't need to post my opinion,you already know it.
Many today don't know the price of freedom.
Freedom is not free, even if I/You/We didn't get the bill.
Thanks, BTW, I don't try to impose my thinking on others.
As in all things, it's best to just share your thinking and move on.
As a veteran I respect the flag and the anthem and conduct myself as prescribed. However, I realize some of our youth were raised in a different era and perhaps they do not understand the meaning of sacrifice and respect for the flag. So as long as they are not a distraction and remain silent I have no problem with what the OP did. He has his reason as to how he acted and it sounds as if he was respectful in his own way. Maybe he didn't know the protocol because he had no experience with military patriotism. I doubt they teach it in public schools anymore.
Before not too many years the National Anthem may be dropped during sporting events and that will take care of that problem. It is becoming divisive and to many it is just a formality with little meaning. This is getting close to the majority of fans so we may as well do away with it. We removed prayer many years ago so why not the National Anthem.
I would rather it not be played than to become something that divides and offends. It is not played to offend but the nation today is hopelessly divided and it seems someone is always getting their feelings hurt or are offended. Time to move on.
And for the record I think the little ole lady was wrong in saying anything or throwing elbows.
Before not too many years the National Anthem may be dropped during sporting events and that will take care of that problem. It is becoming divisive and to many it is just a formality with little meaning. This is getting close to the majority of fans so we may as well do away with it. We removed prayer many years ago so why not the National Anthem.
I would rather it not be played than to become something that divides and offends. It is not played to offend but the nation today is hopelessly divided and it seems someone is always getting their feelings hurt or are offended. Time to move on.
And for the record I think the little ole lady was wrong in saying anything or throwing elbows.
I myself feel comfortable holding my hand over my heart. The thing that bothers me is the number of guys that don't take their hats off.....that tends to bother me more than where they are holding their hands.
Well according to the this one site, yes you are supposed to remove your hat and place your right hand over your heart for non military, Google it.
The media makes a hero out of Colin Krappernick for his disrespecting of the same situation. The old lady should be happy you stood at this point in our cultural regression.
Poppy, I am 78 and always keep my hand over my heart during the Anthem. I think that most older people do this out of respect, and to be sure their heart is still beating.
What I hate is when people don't remove their hat(s) accordingly. That would deserve an elbow in the ribs!
there's nothing wrong with it, we aren't robots.. everyone is sensitive about all these things all the sudden now because of morons like kaep trying to get attention over nothing and all the liberals disrespecting the president...
everyone is way to sensitive over everything now, no one cared about any of this stuff or was so concerned about racism or gays 10 years ago.. .because it wasn't on the agenda as hardcore to divide and conquer for votes
everyone is way to sensitive over everything now, no one cared about any of this stuff or was so concerned about racism or gays 10 years ago.. .because it wasn't on the agenda as hardcore to divide and conquer for votes
I attended the inauguration this year on the national mall, and was the only person I saw holding my hand over my heart. I've also been called a Nazi for having the same opinions as many of the Americans that fought the Nazis. We are no longer a polite society, unfortunately.
It just means that you don't know the proper etiquette.
One I don't like is some performers think they need to rewrite the music.
It's great as original done.
I'm 28 and I stand with my hand over my heart, but it's purely out of habit. It doesn't mean I love or respect this country anymore than my best friend standing next to me holding his hands behind his back. As long as you stand silently facing the flag and remove your hat you're showing respect IMO.
I developed my hand over my heart because of a Ursuline nun in the second grade. She would walk around the room and smack you on the back of the head if you wasn't standing correctly. She told my parents that I was a pervert because when marching into the church I would hold my hands together in front of me but it was below my belt line. She told them/me that was how perverts walked.
I don't think age has much to do with it unless you've never been taught. In my high school class, which thankfully I'm not doing anymore, kids (unless religiously apposed" would stand with hats off and hand over heart. My
Football players knew better and didn't have to be told. (Heard my rants too many times)
You'd be surprised how many kids just don't understand. They're not being disrespectful, they just didn't know. So in my American History class, they learned.
Yes, I'm an old 31. But it is what it is.
I agree with you, I taught school for several years, and my students stood, and place their hand over their hearts, unless they had some religious objections only ever had one express that. But I am also a 23 year vet with 3 tours as a reservist and was also taught by nuns so it is soundly pounded in my head and my heart.
I always put my hand on my heart for the pledge of allegiance. I didn't know that it was a written rule you should do so during the national anthem. I knew about the hat and standing, but not the hand over the heart. I don't think you did anything wrong as long as your intentions were to be respectful. The old lady honestly should have waited until the song was over before making a scene.