What do you do when...

[strokeoluck]

the U.S. national anthem is played, but you're home alone? Do you stand, or remain seated? I'm a patriotic citizen. When I go to a parade and the American flag passes by, I remove my hat; when I'm at a sporting event and they play the anthen I remove my hat, cover my heart and sing along. But while watching the inauguration festivities tonight (on DVR), they played the national anthem at the end, and I was sitting here with my laptop working away. And afterwards I thought "whoops...was I supposed to stand?!"

Critical stuff you can see.

On a side note - and this is not a political note - does anyone else think it's pretty darn incredible how we, as a country, just hand the reins from one person to another like that? I mean, as they're swearing in the new guy, a moving truck is literally packing the other guy's stuff in a truck! We've taken our kids out to D.C. several times now, and I think it's just the most moving place we've visited. From the tomb of the unknown soldier (can be boring for the kids at first, but they love watching the changing of the guard), to Mount Vernon, to touring the capital and hearing the stories of those that sacrificed to forge a new country.

Again, regardless of political affiliation, we should be proud of our system. We have our flaws, but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

 

[dave11]

Re: What do you do when...

The first time that doesn't happen, we no longer have a democracy.

 

[HVSTRINE]

Re: What do you do when...

In public, I show the proper reverance. In the privacy of my home, I don't feel it is necessary. As Americans, we should be very proud and grateful that our democracy hands over the power from one party to the next, without the violence and bloodshed that many other countries experience. This freedom and value was hard fought for, and won by our many prior and current service members.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: What do you do when...

Agreed, thats why this this grand experiment we call democracy has endured these many years.

This is also why people wish to live here in America, and will go thru almost anything, do anything to come here, to be FREE.

It's one of the reasons, so many years ago i put my life on the line. As others before me, and as others after me have done.

 

[strokeoluck]

Re: What do you do when...

This is also why people wish to live here in America, and will go thru almost anything, do anything to come here, to be FREE.

It's one of the reasons, so many years ago i put my life on the line. As others before me, and as others after me have done.

First of all, thanks to you and all the other servicemen and women who have protected our country and freedom in general around the world.

Second, I concur on people coming here to be free. One of the things I get the biggest kick out of is traveling to various cities and talking w/cab drivers. I love to hear their stories because it quickly reminds you of what so many of us often take for granted - our freedoms. Every time I come home I share those stories w/my kids so they understand how good they have it.

 

[eaglejim]

Re: What do you do when...

Well I stand if it is out in public or in my house (football games)that is about all the t.v watching I do, been doing it for years figure if people are willing to put their life on the line that is the least I can do

 

[projecthog]

Re: What do you do when...

Well....,
I can tell you one thing...,

I have never....seen a nation with as much pride and patriotism displayed as I have seen here in the good ol' US of A!!!

I have been in a few countries, and I'm not done traveling yet, but I garuantee you, that I will never see this amount of love, patriotism or just plain pride for your country, anywhere else!

(I have come to think of the US as home because of the many more hours I have spent here then at home base in the whole picture of things. Literally)

I have an enormous shipload of respect for a people who, regardless of their personal trouble or regardless of "the country's" trouble collectively, can just stand together and kick up a cloud of dust when it is needed!!

Never....let that be undermined by anyone or anything, and it will endure.

Wow...I think I got emotional again, :redface:

Teeeeenn.....HUT!

Remember your fighting Sons and Daughters,...they keep it that way!!!

PH.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: What do you do when...

I stand, to set a good example for the boy. I don't know if I could make it through ALL of the lyrics, though.....pretty long song if complete:


O! say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming.
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming.
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: 'In God is our trust.'
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!