Paula Salky: Anthem deserves respect
A couple of weeks ago I attended the Steamboat Springs High School Sailors football game against Grand Junction Central. The ending was a fantastic win. The beginning left a lot to be desired.
With the football game? No. With the National anthem? Yes.
It was a beautiful night and an announcement was made for everyone to please stand for the national anthem. The choir students gathered around their new choir teacher and started with a rousing “Oh say, can you see,” and then off to the side of the student section was a very large group singing VERY LOUDLY continuing to the end of the anthem in their own key and on their own time, distracting everyone around them.
I looked around the stands and most people were busy talking and hardly anyone showed respect and honor for the choir group singing and the National anthem. It made me wonder? What is the proper etiquette when the National anthem is performed at an event? Maybe the parents and the students don’t know. So here it is, loud and clear.
According to the United States Flag Code, “When the National anthem is played or sung, citizens should stand at attention ‘salute’ with their hand over their heart at the first note and hold through the last note. The salute is directed to the flag, if displayed, otherwise to the music. Military members in uniform should properly salute toward the flag.”
This week will represent the eighth anniversary of my brother’s death while serving as a Marine Captain in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was killed in action Oct. 8, 2006. He was 33 years old and had joined the Marines when he was 17 years old…the same age as many of the seniors at Steamboat Springs High School.
When I watch the students in the stands and on the field, I can’t help but wonder what lies ahead in their future. All I know is that they are all so fortunate to have experienced life in this wonderful country and beautiful small town — a place where they can live the life they choose and live free because of the sacrifices those men and women, like my brother, have made for our country. It would be great to see them all stand, and at the very least, be quiet with their hands over the heart in a sign of respect for our country.
This opportunity will come this Friday night when the Steamboat Sailors play football on their home field. I ask you to stand up proud with your hand over your heart while the National anthem is sung proudly by my daughter, Reina Salky. She will sing in her Uncle Robert’s honor and memory.
And together, we gladly will praise the land of the free and the home of the brave. Now, go play ball and Semper Fi!
Paula Salky
Steamboat Springs
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