By Arthur Moore
Since sports players have started their kneeling protest there are many now protesting that as it is disrespectful to the American flag. People have been giving up watching or buying any products that are related to the NFL. And now for any sport that the players do not follow proper flag etiquette. I am 100% behind the boycott. The people kneeling in my opinion did not have to do that. They are in the public eye and can easily have gotten an audience and get on the news. In our house we stopped immediately. No more watching or listening and no more buying any product associated with the NFL and now whoever else does it. You have the right to protest here peacefully because of the many that served our country and died just so you have that right. So many gave up their children for you to have that right. And the people who did that were of all races, religions and nationalities. And to expect people to respect your opinion after such an example of disrespect is absurd. I would suggest those who disrespected the flag apologize. You may find that the huge volume of good Americans here may just consider your cause a worthy one instead of hating you for your treatment of the flag and its meaning. And in case no one knows here is the proper way to show respect.

The Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem

In 2007, the U.S. Congress addressed etiquette for the pledge of allegiance and the national anthem in 36 USC 301. When saying the pledge of allegiance, citizens of all ages should stand at attention, face the flag, and salute by placing the right hand over the heart. Men should remove their hats, and women any sports caps. When in uniform, military personnel, firefighters, and law enforcement officers give a military salute. Veterans and service personnel out of uniform may give the military salute or place the right hand over the heart.

Everyone, even very young children, should rise, remain standing, and salute by placing the right hand over the heart during the playing of The Star-Spangled Banner—first note to last. The anthem isn’t easy to sing, and you need not do so if you don’t have the necessary range. But you must stand quietly until “O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave” has rung out and the music ends.

If you are on the way to your seat at a sports event, or in any public place, and the first strains of the anthem are heard, stop where you are and stand at attention until the end. Don’t talk, chew gum, eat, or smoke during the singing of the anthem.