Hi Friends:
Like most of you … “I never thought I’d see the day” when individuals, who make an incredible amount of money to play a game, to be allowed to “get rich and famous” by playing this game …
would not stand to honor the very Country which makes such a thing possible …
I also find it hard to believe this is still an issue …
While enjoying this year’s Major League Baseball All-Star Game … I got this wild idea … actually a wild thought … then a wild vision …
As I appreciated the pre-game ceremonies, in particular the honoring of the United States Medal of Honor recipients ….
And, then … when the game was halted in the seventh inning for “all to stand and honor America by the singing of ‘God Bless America’” … I got this vision …
What if?
What if:
What if … the NFL (No Flag Loyalty) decides, like Major League Baseball, to stop play (maybe at the beginning of the 4th Quarter?) for the singing of “God Bless America?”
Allow that to sink in for a moment:
What if the NFL (No Flag Loyalty) decides, like Major League Baseball, to stop play for the singing of “God Bless America.”
What would be the results?
Riots?
Networks quickly cutting away for a few more beer commercials?
Would teams just go to the locker room at the end of the 3rd Quarter, and not come out until after the song is sung?
Are we getting to the point where the “stand for the Anthem” issue would be included in part of a player’s contract?
Did I just see a news blip (across the screen of ESPN network) that the “Anthem Issue” would be part of a new player agreement? Can this be?
To repeat two points we’ve made during this entire “controversy:”
If they don’t stand for our flag … Whose flag do they stand for?
If they don’t support our Veterans and Military … who’s Veterans and Military do they stand for?
If it’s not just about them … Why do they remove their helmets as they kneel?
Remember, “In honor and respect of our country, and the men and women who bravely serve to protect our freedoms, we ask that you please stand and remove your hats for the singing of our National Anthem …”
So, if it’s not just about them … why do they remove their helmets?
Who’s Flag, Veterans, and Military do they stand for?
Last year, after the “controversy,” it was painfully obvious that the networks purposely stopped airing the playing of the Nation Anthem, which was a staple, for example, on Thursday nights …
So, if the NFL (No Flag Loyalty) stadiums start singing “God Bless America” at, say, the beginning of the 4th quarter … do they also purposely not air that?
Would a solution be, to continue the appearance that the NFL (No Flag Loyalty) supports such a bold move … to have the performance of “God Bless America” during half-time?
That way, they’d be “off the hook;” the networks would simply not show the performance … just as they do now, for The Anthem.
I don’t know … why is it ok to show the Anthem during the Super Bowl, but not other games?
I won’t change.
I can’t.
My Father-in-law was buried with full military honors.
The flag was draped across his coffin.
My Father was buried with full military honors.
The flag was draped across his coffin.
I received the “In Honor” Pin at his funeral, which I still proudly wear.
The last Funeral Service I attended was for a dear friend, who was a 20-year Veteran.
Full military honors.
The flag draped across his casket.
I’m free.
Because of them.
And, those like them.
Yeah … I’ll stand.
Are there things I believe are “wrong” in our country?
Are there things I believe need to be changed?
Are there things I should protest against?
Sure.
I guess I’m doing that now.
I just don’t think that disrespecting our flag, our country, my Father-in-law, my Father, my good friend, and all those others who have served, and are serving now, is the way to do it.
However, I guess … if I did not respect our flag, if I did not respect our country, if I did not respect my Father-in-law, if I did not respect my Father, if I did not respect those who have served, and who serve now …
If there was another country I would stand for, if there was another military I would stand for, if there were other veterans I would stand for … then, I guess I would have to not stand, wouldn’t I?
Yes, it is a choice.
I get that.
My Father-in-Law had choices.
My Father had choices.
My close friend had a choice.
All those who have served, and still serve, also had choices.
I choose to honor their choices.
I’ll stand.
What other flag could I stand for?
I have to stand.
I’m an American.
An American citizen.
And, every day, I pray that God will bless America.
I can’t believe that I am here thinking … here in America … even thinking that I hope that someone will not … will not … suggest that the NFL (No Flag Loyalty) have a moment during a game to have a performance of “God Bless America.”
Can I really be thinking that here in America?
Land that I love?
Can you image the uproar if someone suggested such a thing?
Asking to sing, publicly at an NFL (No Flag Loyalty) game, “God Bless America?”
In the middle of a football game?
I mean … I guess it’s ok to sing this during a baseball game … but … to sing this during a football game???
Can you imagine??
Please … don’t suggest this!!!
I mean, if they feel this way about our flag … how would they react about God?
I mean, if it’s ok to disrespect our flag, our country, our military, including those who have died defending our freedom …
Well … you get the idea.
God HAS Blessed America.
Richard. Vincent. Rose.
pastorappreciationblog.com 