OUR Star Spangled Banner......

[Ralph Damren]

 

I first realized its symbolism back in the '50s. I would proudly stand next to my dad (PT-boat WW II), uncle (101st Airborne WW II) and grandpa (Doughboy WW I) during our patriotic parades. Tears would form on their cheeks as Ole' Glory would pass and OUR Star Spangled Banner would sound. They would always tell me how proud they were to have served their country in some way.

 

Fast forward to the early '90s. The 1st Gulf War was ending and it was announced that troop planes would be refueling at the Bangor airport the following morning. The first was scheduled to arrive at 6 AM and I, remembering the feeling of patriotism I once had, planned to attend. I arrived at 5:30 and the parking lot was overflowing, parking somewhere I shouldn't, and rushed to get inside. The airport was full of American Legion, VFW members, many friends ,neighbors and a local high school band. None were used to planes arriving early, but this one did! The first soldier off the plane was a rugged Army Ranger. He approached the high school band, who was quickly trying to assemble ,and asked a sax player if he could borrow her instrument for the first song. She obliged, he then played THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER. There wasn't a dry eye in the airport, and that morning was the springboard for troop-greeting that continues today.

We were soon to learn that the Army Ranger was Sgt. Tillman an African American. Sgt. Tillman and his family have returned to Bangor several times since to be the Grand Marshall of our Independence Day Parade.
That moment at the airport and the moments with my family some sixty years ago are with me every Friday night just prior to kickoff. Many of you may have similar stories...please share.


 

[SCHSref]

I am an Army brat.  It was just always common practice to respect the flag, national anthem, military, etc.  I absolutely love to hear the anthem played and it always instills a sense of unity in me.  In fact, it is one of the few things that unites a country where it is a melting pot.

My grandfather, who left this earth about 2 years at the ripe age of 91, was a WWII vet.  He was able to go on the Honor Flight.  WE met him at the Airport.  It was an awesome display of patriotism and respect.  Absolutely loved being  a part of it.

Article about it:  http://www.wistv.com/story/19650863/vets-return-from-dc-in-latest-honor-flight

[AlUpstateNY]

It shouldn't be that hard to grasp.  If YOU'RE unhappy with YOUR circumstances because of conditions in YOUR Home, YOUR Neighborhood, YOUR community, YOUR personal situation, YOUR education, YOUR opportunities, YOUR prospects then choosing to disrespect OUR collective symbols, that YOU have yet to earn any right to disrespect, is not at all likely to achieve ANYTHING that will help YOU improve YOUR situation.

If YOU are will willing to accept YOUR personal responsibility to FIX what is wrong in YOUR situation, You may find a lot more willingness for OTHERS to help YOU fix what YOU need to fix, but abusing and disrespecting OUR symbols is a WRONG way to go about fixing ANYTHING.

[UTchad]

It shouldn't be that hard to grasp.  If YOU'RE unhappy with YOUR circumstances because of conditions in YOUR Home, YOUR Neighborhood, YOUR community, YOUR personal situation, YOUR education, YOUR opportunities, YOUR prospects then choosing to disrespect OUR collective symbols, that YOU have yet to earn any right to disrespect, is not at all likely to achieve ANYTHING that will help YOU improve YOUR situation.

If YOU are will willing to accept YOUR personal responsibility to FIX what is wrong in YOUR situation, You may find a lot more willingness for OTHERS to help YOU fix what YOU need to fix, but abusing and disrespecting OUR symbols is a WRONG way to go about fixing ANYTHING.

AMEN!   

[yarnnelg]

Crew at Clearwater High School, Florida. Every other crew member Navy River Boat Vets in Vietnam Nam. Longest tour six months. Everyone wounded. I am the military brat.

National anthem to start, huge flag to raised in the south corner of the stadium. Another flag in the north corner. Honor guard in front of the band with the flag and military flags.

"I'm confused, which flag is most important?"

Umpire says "I thought your Dad would have taught you better. The honor guard flag precedes all others."

"Thank you Sir, I wanted to be right."

"Silly kids"

[yarnnelg]

Military Brats. 1970, Far East Command issues a warning “Anyone standing for National Athem, the movie will stop, house lights turned on and you will escorted from the theater.”

We have planned this for weeks. You can get away with a lot, if you are the the Base Commander’s son’s best friend. Get away with things when all Dad’s are aware of the plan.

First showing “Woodstock” we file in and take two rows. Our Dad’s in the back row. Including the Base Commander. Jimi Hendrix starts …the entire football team stands. We’ve lost classmates. Some will be drafted and few more not come back.

Movie stops, House lights on, ushered out. My Dad smiled as I walked past. He understood why. So did the Commander.

We walked right out, went to the line for the second showing, got our tickets our girlfriends and went back in. I played Japanese Industrial Baseball with the Special Services Officer Stan. Walking past he said “ We were told you guys were going to protest. Any plans for this one?” “We were told OK for one, not for two. We’ll be good for this one.”

Politicians start wars, they then need to stand aside and let the military do their jobs.

[dammitbobby]

Politicians start wars, they then need to stand aside and let the military do their jobs.

I'd much rather it be their sons being sent to fight in them.