Removing hats for Star Spangled Banner?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Larry1700
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
L

Larry1700

Guest
I’m not the most observant person in the world, nor do I have the greatest memory, but…

At the beginning of the Ravens/Broncos game I heard the announcer ask folks to remove their hats “while we honor America” (or something like that), and the Star Spangled Banner was sung.

I remarked to the guy watching the game with me, “Since when do we remove our hats for the Star Spangled Banner?” I certainly remember putting my hand over my heart for the SSB, but as for the hats, I remember being asked to remove them for the prayer.

I’m 54, and he is 30+ . He said as far as he remembers, it’s always been done that way.

I remember the prayer preceding the SSB, so perhaps that was why hats were removed during the SSB.

What do y’all remember?
 
In my 60+ years, civilian hats are ALWAYS removed for the National Anthem. ALWAYS. Military personnel, law enforcement people in uniform, and (at least back in the day when caps were worn) Scouts in uniform remain covered and salute during the Anthem.
 
And veterans personnel even if not in uniform but wearing a cover may remain covered and salute.
 
I also noticed that most of the ravens showed absolutely no sign of respect during the Anthem but assumed a posture of ‘hands on hips’ rather than hand over heart, while the Broncos, to a man, did show respect for it during last night’s season opener. I found this somewhat curious.🤷
 
Well, it looks like my memory comes through again! (By “comes through,” I mean like through a sieve.)

Oh well. In my defense, its been many years since I’ve been to a football game.

As for the post about some of the Ravens with their hands on their hips, yep, that has bothered me for a long time. You’re strong athletes, for cryin’ out loud. How hard can it be to hold up your hand over your heart for a few minutes?
 
Larry1700 said:
Well, it looks like my memory comes through again! (By “comes through,” I mean like through a sieve.)

Oh well. In my defense, its been many years since I’ve been to a football game.

As for the post about some of the Ravens with their hands on their hips, yep, that has bothered me for a long time. You’re strong athletes, for cryin’ out loud. How hard can it be to hold up your hand over your heart for a few minutes?
Click to expand...
Obviously watching the opening of a football game is too traumatic for you 😃 Perhaps in the future you need to tune in AFTER the first kickoff. 😉

For the record I am 55 and I remember taking the hat off at football and baseball games
 
Cub Scouts leave hats on and salute. Otherwise, hats off. Or I’ll knock it off, ya commie. 😃

The part I’m not sure about: hand over heart during SSB?

I’m 46, btw.
 
on_the_hill said:
Cub Scouts leave hats on and salute. Otherwise, hats off. Or I’ll knock it off, ya commie. 😃

The part I’m not sure about: hand over heart during SSB?

I’m 46, btw.
Click to expand...
I didn’t mention that in my prior post, but yes, hand-over-heart, too – even here in the People’s Republic. Mostly. Fenway is pretty good at it. Less so at school games where many parents of school-age kids appear clueless. Grandparents get it, though.
 
Used2beSherryG said:
I also noticed that most of the ravens showed absolutely no sign of respect during the Anthem but assumed a posture of ‘hands on hips’ rather than hand over heart, while the Broncos, to a man, did show respect for it during last night’s season opener. I found this somewhat curious.🤷
Click to expand...
Go Broncos ! The Ravens showed absolutely no respect.
 
The old joke is when I was growing up was that some people thought the national anthem ended with, “O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave! — PLAY BALL!”
 
I know your question has already been answered, but had to come along and put in my two cents.

I am a Navy brat. My father spent 20 years on those tin cans called submarines, both in WWII and Korea.

I show the upmost respect for the flag of our country and the servicemen and women that have sacrificed a lot to defend that flag and our country in every way, every chance I get.

Hats worn by civilians should be removed for the SSB. No excuses.
 
kdkkdt said:
I know your question has already been answered, but had to come along and put in my two cents.

I am a Navy brat. My father spent 20 years on those tin cans called submarines, both in WWII and Korea.

I show the upmost respect for the flag of our country and the servicemen and women that have sacrificed a lot to defend that flag and our country in every way, every chance I get.

Hats worn by civilians should be removed for the SSB. No excuses.
Click to expand...
Yep.

And if I didn’t, my father, the vet, would have knocked it off. 😊

And do all of you MASH fans out there remember the episode with the “missing” soldier. He was from another country and when they played that country’s anthem, he came out all beat up but saluting? Reminds me of my Dad. He was very sick near the end, but would have sprung a perfect salute if he had heard the National Anthem.
 
Tarpeian_Rock said:
I didn’t mention that in my prior post, but yes, hand-over-heart, too – even here in the People’s Republic. Mostly. Fenway is pretty good at it. Less so at school games where many parents of school-age kids appear clueless. Grandparents get it, though.
Click to expand...
I thought that the hand over your heart part was optional. I know that removing your hat is mandatory though.
 
Had uncles and cousins in WW2, Korea, and Viet Nam. I also had an aunt who was an air evac nurse in WW2. More recently, a Naval officer husband! You had better believe all the men in our families not in uniform removed their hats when the anthem is played, and both men and women put their hands over their hearts.
 
maryjk said:
Yep.

And if I didn’t, my father, the vet, would have knocked it off. 😊

And do all of you MASH fans out there remember the episode with the “missing” soldier. He was from another country and when they played that country’s anthem, he came out all beat up but saluting? Reminds me of my Dad. He was very sick near the end, but would have sprung a perfect salute if he had heard the National Anthem.
Click to expand...
As a child of the 60s I took Civics class. I thought everyone did.
My daughter was on the basketball team in high school. At her games I was surprised to realize that other parents my age either didn’t take civics or had apparently forgotten what they learned in those classes. I was a bit of a…radical…back in those days (in my 30s). If I was standing close to someone during the SSB that had forgotten their civics lessons I had no qualms at all about reaching over and gently flicking their ball cap off their head. 😊

I’ve mellowed in my old age. Now when I see someone not showing the proper respect during the national anthem, I just clear my throat rather loudly and give them “the stare”.
 
BlueEyedLady said:
I thought that the hand over your heart part was optional. I know that removing your hat is mandatory though.
Click to expand...
Actually, the hand over the heart is the civilian form of the salute. Civilians salute without cover (hats). So, you take off your hat to facilitate saluting correctly. Oh, and stand at attention while saluting.

Military properly salute while covered and at attention.

People would probably be shocked that on a military post at Reveille and Retreat everyone stops where they are, faces where the flag would be, and salutes while the music plays (and the flag is raised or lowered). Even people driving stop their cars, everyone gets out and salutes.
 
Title 36 of US code says what “should” be done…
During a rendition of the national anthem—
(1) when the flag is displayed—
(A) individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note;
(B) members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute in the manner provided for individuals in uniform; and
(C) all other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, and men not in uniform, if applicable, should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart; and
(2) when the flag is not displayed, all present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed.
Click to expand...
 
Though only 28, I’ve always been taught standing and baring your head (for men only), and the hand on the heart was always a personal thing I did (unlike the Pledge, where I think you are supposed to place your hand on your heart).

In fact, every sporting event typically has an announcement like this: We now ask everyone to please rise, and for gentlemen to please remove their hats, as we honor America with the playing of our National Anthem.
 
PaulinVA said:
People would probably be shocked that on a military post at Reveille and Retreat everyone stops where they are, faces where the flag would be, and salutes while the music plays (and the flag is raised or lowered). Even people driving stop their cars, everyone gets out and salutes.
Click to expand...
Thank you for that “Blast from the past.”

At 5 o’clock sharp, everyone would stop and salute.

As a kid, it was pretty cool.

As an adult, it simply inspires.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top