The soldiers and the National Athem

Great story Salty, thank you. :thumbs:

 

I remember going to the pictures during WWII in London. God Save The King was played before the picture show. One chap remained seated and even had a cap on. Two American servicemen sitting behind him uncerimoneously removed his cap and then lifted him physically to his feet. They didn't let him down easily after either.

If we can't show respect for our national anthem and what it stands for can we respect anything?

Cheers,

Jim

 

Thanks for posting. Very moving story.

 

I remember many years ago, when my family routinely attended my Alma Mater's home football games, I would always get choked up singing the SSB to start.
Once there was a young stud on the row in front of us, (who was well liquified :smilewinkgrin: for the game), who was murdering the Anthem. My daughter, about 18-20 at the time, gave him a good hearty slap on the back and in a not so sweet tone told him to sing the song right if he was going to sing it.
The funny part is that this was totally contrary to her nature and she even said that shortly after she did it she had chills just thinking what it could have led to.
It had the desired effect though, as he moved away from our area and remained "calm" for the rest of the anthem.
Funny how sometimes emotion just takes over and reason takes a back seat.

 

Lewis Grizzard, who I miss greatly, in spite of his far left politics, one related a story of taking his father to an Atlanta Braves' game. When the anthem was played before the game, his father stood up straight and belted out the anthem.

Grizzard, red faced, turned to his father and said, "You know, Dad, you embarrass me when you sing like that."

His father turned back to him and said, "Son, you embarrass me when you don't."

Sadly, the anthem is no longer a communal showing of patriotism and pride, but a performance piece in which we're to endure the wildly modulating pitches of any of a number of d-list singers who are more interested in convincing the crowd that they've got soul than in leading the crowd.

I think I'm one of the last people who actually sings the anthem at ball games.

When I finally get rich and purchase the Philadelphia Eagles, the first thing I'm going to do, after dragging Jeff Lurie and Michael Vick out in the street and having them tarred and feathered, is to reinstate the communal singing of the anthem. And then the tradition of an invocation.