As a 25 year Vet with service to our nation during EVERY conflict of our nation since Vietnam including being a responder at the the Pentagon during 9/11, active service in Iraq and Afghanistan, a member of United States Department of the Army Casualty and Mortuary Affairs Department, and a worker on the Army Wounded Warrior Program I offer the following.
To all athletes protesting please opt to take a knee. Refusing to stand sends the wrong message, just as athletes take a knee for a player injured on the field or a moment of silence. There is a way to show solidarity without causing a divide. Many people don't even know they should remove their hats during the natl anthem. Placing one's hand over the heart or standing at attention is what we usually see. Military members salute during the anthem because we are permitted to do so even in civilian clothes according to OFFICIAL military regulation which was changed from us placing our hands over our hears when not in uniform. People won't know unless we teach them, inform them, or just remind them. We ALL have the freedoms we have because of those willing to defend them with their lives while using part of our lives or all of our lives. It is in respect to those who have given all and the families whose loss will never be erased that the knee is offered. Do not let the corruption and injustice we see today diminish the fighters of freedom or their memory. Thank you for considering our nation and those who serve and have served for generations.
To all athletes protesting please opt to take a knee. Refusing to stand sends the wrong message, just as athletes take a knee for a player injured on the field or a moment of silence. There is a way to show solidarity without causing a divide. Many people don't even know they should remove their hats during the natl anthem. Placing one's hand over the heart or standing at attention is what we usually see. Military members salute during the anthem because we are permitted to do so even in civilian clothes according to OFFICIAL military regulation which was changed from us placing our hands over our hears when not in uniform. People won't know unless we teach them, inform them, or just remind them. We ALL have the freedoms we have because of those willing to defend them with their lives while using part of our lives or all of our lives. It is in respect to those who have given all and the families whose loss will never be erased that the knee is offered. Do not let the corruption and injustice we see today diminish the fighters of freedom or their memory. Thank you for considering our nation and those who serve and have served for generations.
