And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
For most of my formative years I lived on U.S. military bases. No matter where I was, no matter what I was doing, at 1800 at the sound of Taps, I stood still, and faced whatever flag was in sight with right hand over heart. We all did.
I was brought up to stand for our national anthem (God Save the Queen). I still do although I might be the only one doing so and getting some funny looks. It's shameful how people have lost respect for their country and themselves. I'm close to losing respect for my country's leaders but not my fellow countrymen. Well, the deplorable ones at least.
When I lived at the Old Soldiers' Home in Washington, D.C., during the Retreat Ceremony, us White guys would render the position of "Present Arms!", but the Negroes would just ignore it (even though they were military retirees).
The administration of the Old Soldiers' Home eventually was forced to cease all military ceremonies due to the lack of Negro participation, and the inability of the younger, non-military, Soldiers' Home Police to be able to correctly fold the Flag.
God love ya.
ReplyDeleteThat's 'cause he's White.
ReplyDeleteIf he were black, it would be more likely that he would take a knee.
DeleteAnd didn't pay for the popcorn.
DeleteWe have members of Congress that won't even do this!
ReplyDeleteGoes to show that men don't have to be adults, and that sometimes adults are oversize children that need cracked on the back of the head.
ReplyDeleteFor most of my formative years I lived on U.S. military bases. No matter where I was, no matter what I was doing, at 1800 at the sound of Taps, I stood still, and faced whatever flag was in sight with right hand over heart. We all did.
ReplyDeleteYou’re thinking of “Retreat.” Taps was played at 2300, IIRC.
DeleteAnd, if there was not a flag in sight, you faced toward whatever direction "main post" was at.
DeleteThat kid and his parents are the backbone of America. Wish I knew them so I could shake his hand and his dads.
ReplyDeleteMaybe there is hope.
ReplyDeleteThat young man’s parents are squared away!
ReplyDeleteI was brought up to stand for our national anthem (God Save the Queen). I still do although I might be the only one doing so and getting some funny looks. It's shameful how people have lost respect for their country and themselves. I'm close to losing respect for my country's leaders but not my fellow countrymen. Well, the deplorable ones at least.
ReplyDeleteWhen I lived at the Old Soldiers' Home in Washington, D.C., during the Retreat Ceremony, us White guys would render the position of "Present Arms!", but the Negroes would just ignore it (even though they were military retirees).
ReplyDeleteThe administration of the Old Soldiers' Home eventually was forced to cease all military ceremonies due to the lack of Negro participation, and the inability of the younger, non-military, Soldiers' Home Police to be able to correctly fold the Flag.