Media outlets calls this courage
University of Kentucky basketball Players kneeing photo credit: Kentucky basketball twitter account

Media outlets calls this courage

Might I disagree? There was nothing courageous about this. Let me tell you about courage, pride and respect.

Born the youngest of 18 children. Registered for the selective service draft at 18. Drafted as a 20-year old and rode off to Fort Carson for basic training and then off to Teague, South Korea by way of a boat, 13 days on the water.

His father took ill and was given weeks/months to live. His mother had already passed. Uncle Sam gave him a plane ride back to California. Long bus ride to arrive back in his small Kentucky hometown. Walked/hitchhiked the 9 miles to his childhood home. Able to spend 20 days visiting on emergency leave.

Due the ill health of his father the army transferred him to Fort Knox, Kentucky to be closer to his father. His father would pass seven months later while he was still serving his country.

He finished out his hitch with the Army and returned to his hometown. Married at 29 and still married today, 57 years later. Six children, dozens of grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He doesn't hear so well now and he doesn't stand quite as tall as he used to. His long, fast and easy strides have been replaced by shorter steps and a slight shuffle. But you can be assured of one thing that has not changed in his nearly 87 years of life. When the bugler plays TAPS he will tear up, immediately. When the band starts to play our anthem, he will rise as quickly as he can, place his hand over his heart and remain at attention, silent, until the band has finished playing.

That is courage, pride and respect. That is the man I am proud to call, DAD.

So if you see me struggle to get out of my chair to stand for the anthem and show respect for a flag that I am proud of, don't think for second, that I am making a sacrifice to stand. I consider it a honor and a privilege to do so.

Courage was and continues to be earned by the men and women that put on the uniform of the United States of America and proudly serve or served us with dignity and honor. We should never disrespect them or the flag by kneeling.

Tim Beasley

FAME Manufacturing Apprentice Program Coordinator

4 年

Protest against racism and other wrongs, but don't protest against the flag that gives us freedom. Would be good for the players and coaches to talk to some of my friends who put their lives are risk to escape East Germany, Croatia and Cuba to get their perspective on what the flag and anthem mean.

Eric Howard

Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer

4 年

Funny how we take insult by deciding what other people intended. Leads to a frustrating life.

Rick Hamby

Owner at Staff Easy

4 年

Wow at 4 - 6 I thought they were just kneeling in surrender to superior teams ??????

James David Bryant, AIA, NCARB

Architect Project Manager at Illuminated Designs LLC dba ModernWash Solutions

4 年

Well written! Thanks for sharing this.

回复
terry sexton

Business Development Manager at Enerfab Inc

4 年

To start with , the whole purpose of standing for the National Anthem with hand over heart at attention is to remember, recognize and think about our Great Country and all the sacrifices to get to where we are today, I myself has served but I also have many behind me has as well. So here’s the rub, if they want to talk and work together to find solutions then this isn’t a good way to get people to the table, matter of fact it is repellent and has actually become more of a barrier , you might as well slapped me and all that’s served and even died by kneeling during the National Anthem, and then ask if we could sit down and discuss this issue...? All you’ve done is make us all mad from the disrespect! They need to find a better way to protest, this certainly isn’t the way to do it. I’ve not watched a game since, that’s how bad it hurt me.

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