It’s a flag. It’s red, white and
blue. It flies over capitols and
behind podiums. It has flown
in and around many public
and private venues since the birth
of this country. It represents us and
our ideals. Men and women have
died on fields of battle because of
this flag and the ideals for which it
stands. It is a flag, yet it represents
so much more.
A recent controversy started
when an NFL quarterback failed to
stand during the singing of “The
Star Spangled Banner” to protest
racial divides and inequalities. I
cannot argue his cause, nor would
I debate his right to protest, but he may
want to visit a veterans’ hospital if he
hasn’t already, as a reminder of what
so many sacrificed in order to give him
that right. Or he may want to visit a
national cemetery if he hasn’t already, as
a reminder of how many gave their lives,
the ultimate sacrifice for his freedom. I
hope he would realize that each grave
marking stands for an individual, each
of whom was part of a family, and that
many of them left behind spouses and
young children. Those families endure
far-reaching consequences beyond what
can be seen at a hospital or a grave.
Somehow, this nation’s history has not
impacted all of our country’s students.
This may be due to the fact that fewer
and fewer families have any ties to the
military. Although I, and many of my
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generation, grew-up acutely aware of
those in our families who had served, it
seems today that the discussion revolves
around our great-great relatives and
even then, most families aren’t aware
why or how their relatives served.
This country is not without problems.
We dream of a perfect world, but that
takes work and unification. I believe
it starts with individuals working to
understand each other. It continues in
civil discourse and respect for differing
views. It requires striving to understand
another’s point of view.
We have come through a contentious
presidential election. In some instances,
civility was thrown aside, along with
mutual understanding. Protests that
followed included not standing for “The
Star Spangled Banner.” I do not debate
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the right of protestors to do so, but
I do ask them to do so with respect
for our flag.
Recently, there was a story
claiming that the pilot of an aircraft
asked passengers to remain seated
while a Gold Star family exited
before them. As the family passed
through the first-class cabin, they
were unfortunately booed. First
class was anything but first class
that day. This family had lost
one of its members in the fight
to preserve our country’s ideals,
ideals represented by our red,
white and blue flag and “The Star
Spangled Banner.”
There are so many ways to right
wrongs, but being disrespectful to our
flag and to the national anthem does not
honor those who sacrificed so much to
give us those rights. I ask that you stand
whenever our national anthem is played
as a way of saying “thanks” to those who
gave so much and to those who continue
to give. 9
EDITOR’S NOTE: Dick Crippen, a staple
in Tampa Bay broadcasting for more than
40 years, is a senior adviser for the Tampa
Bay Rays, and works extensively with
the military. He is active in the world of
charity fundraising and sits on 11 boards for
nonprofit organizations.
COMMAERNTTARY
It’s a
Flag
By Dick Crippen
Dick Crippen