Removing hats for Star Spangled Banner?

[Neofight]

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.

WRONG! Federal law enacted in 2009 authorizes veteran to remain covered and render a hand salute during the National Anthem. Those of us who faithfully served, especially retires like your father, do not view this honor and responsibility bestowed on us by the nation we served as an “excuse” to keep our hats on during the anthem!

 

[triumphguy]

As an immigrant to Canada I still don’t get why the National Anthem is played before Hockey matches or Football etc.

In England we never sang the national anthem at a sports venue unless the national team was playing another nation, or the Queen was present.

We didn’t sing it at school either.

Why do you sing it at sports venues in North America?

Why there and not at church?

Why at school but not at work?

 

[kdkkdt]

WRONG! Federal law enacted in 2009 authorizes veteran to remain covered and render a hand salute during the National Anthem. Those of us who faithfully served, especially retires like your father, do not view this honor and responsibility bestowed on us by the nation we served as an “excuse” to keep our hats on during the anthem!

When I used the word “civilians” I meant those who had never served. I do not view veterans as civilians. Technically they are, once retired, by I don’t view them that way. I see three groups - active duty, veterans and civilians. If you knew how grateful and respectful I feel towards our active duty military AND veterans - no matter what branch of the military they serve/served in, no matter in what capacity, you would know I meant no disrespect.

 

[PaulinVA]

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.

Every so often I would get Retreat duty to lead the detail that would take the flag down. The flagpole was a good quarter mile from the post headquarters, so it was marching troops in full view of everyone in that part of the post. It was one of the more awesome “goosebump” things I’ve done. I still jump whenever I hear To The Colors.

 

[ProVobis]

As a child of the 60s I took Civics class. I thought everyone did.

In the 60’s they played the national anthem to break up fights.

But playing the national anthem is a new thing for all sports. Having only vocalists sing it is even newer. (Chicago Black Hawks fans shout all the way through it, but that’s another topic.)

Some teams used to do it only for special occasions (like a holiday) for a long time. Now it’s standard for many occasions outside sports.

 

[kdkkdt]

In the 60’s they played the national anthem to break up fights.

But playing the national anthem is a new thing for all sports. Having only vocalists sing it is even newer. (Chicago Black Hawks fans shout all the way through it, but that’s another topic.)

Some teams used to do it only for special occasions (like a holiday) for a long time.

 

[Mumbles140]

After the Boston Marathon bombing, at the next Bruins home game, the entire stadium sang together.

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

In the 60’s they played the national anthem to break up fights.

But playing the national anthem is a new thing for all sports. Having only vocalists sing it is even newer. (Chicago Black Hawks fans shout all the way through it, but that’s another topic.)

Some teams used to do it only for special occasions (like a holiday) for a long time. Now it’s standard for many occasions outside sports.

What is your definition of “new?” I recall the Anthem at Red Sox games at Fenway Park in the early 1960’s.

 

[on_the_hill]

As an immigrant to Canada I still don’t get why the National Anthem is played before Hockey matches or Football etc.

In England we never sang the national anthem at a sports venue unless the national team was playing another nation, or the Queen was present.

We didn’t sing it at school either.

Why do you sing it at sports venues in North America?

Why there and not at church?

Why at school but not at work?

Personally, I think it’s overused. And when it gets overused, its significance gets diluted. Of course I’ll stand and place my hand over my heart.

 

[on_the_hill]

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”.

Well, sometimes people might honestly forget. So don’t stare *too *hard.

I won’t forget, though, because I never wear hats.

 

[smichhertz]

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?

Believe it or not, there’s actually official government policy on this. Here’s the relevant part for us civilians:

(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

Source:
law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/36/301

So basically, men are supposed to remove their hats.

 

[ProVobis]

What is your definition of “new?” I recall the Anthem at Red Sox games at Fenway Park in the early 1960’s.

I know the Cubs only had it on special occasions. The Vietnam War brought it to a everyday occurrence. But when you consider they’ve been playing that sport since the 1800’s, it is relatively new to have it at every sport at most levels in my opinion.

 

[ProVobis]

Personally, I think it’s overused. And when it gets overused, its significance gets diluted. Of course I’ll stand and place my hand over my heart.

It’s like in that Chevy Chase movie, if someone starts out with the Pledge of Allegiance, everyone around stands and puts his hand over his heart and recites it.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

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”.

If I think about what our country was founded upon and meant to be, I want to not only remove my hat but weep in appreciation.
If I think about what we have become and are becoming. I want to use my hat to cover my eyes in shame. I know this will be attacked but I just do not feel that this country deserves my reverence and respect. We kill babies, debate war as if it is a casual conversation, we have changed the definition of family and marriage and we have done all of this deliberately and knowingly.

What bothers me more is baseball caps at mass. I love football, and the game last night was awesome! But imagine the world we would have if that many people could come together with such enthusiasm for God Himself appearing in the Eucharist every single day! I will save my patriotism for my faith.

 

[novelista]

Men have always removed their hats for the national anthem as long as I can remember during sporting events, or whenever it’s played. Perhaps it was announced because people don’t observe the same customs as they used to.

 

[Eleanor61]

I have always known that this rule applied to men, but find it interesting that they generally do not say “men”, they use a word like everyone which would seem to include women who do not remove their hats at church, funerals, or as a sign of respect at any time. Quite the contrary. This really bothers me. ( I am easily bothered )
Too politically incorrect to refer to gender?

 

[pamnbam]

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.

I remember even getting off my bike during Retreat as a kid. My dad told me I’d better stop, or else! . I remember some kids (and sadly some adults) would try to duck into buildings so they didn’t get caught outside when the music was on.

 

[Kamaduck]

I have always known that this rule applied to men, but find it interesting that they generally do not say “men”, they use a word like everyone which would seem to include women who do not remove their hats at church, funerals, or as a sign of respect at any time. Quite the contrary. This really bothers me. ( I am easily bothered )
Too politically incorrect to refer to gender?

I don’t know. I’m a JROTC cadet, and I think it would get weird if only boys removed their hats at any event. I expect if a girl were wearing a hat and didn’t remove it for the national anthem, she would at least get lecture about respecting the flag. It’s possible an instructor would remove it for her.

Both genders are taught to remove hats when inside (especially when in a church, and including civilian hats), so I expect that the same rules would apply to both genders during the national anthem. It’s usually easier to use the same rules for everyone.

Not that too many teenagers wear hats these days, so it’s not a big deal anyway.

I’m not sure what girls and women are supposed to do in general, but I’d probably just keep acting the way I was taught even if I weren’t with the rest of my battalion.

 

[coachdennis]

And just what do you call the backward baseball caps that are everywhere???

 

[Kamaduck]

And just what do you call the backward baseball caps that are everywhere???

OK.

Not that many teenagers wear hats in this city.

Unless we’re trying to look silly. Maybe if it’s really, really sunny outside. Or if the JROTC cadets are in uniform, we wear covers. But other than that, I haven’t noticed too many hats. There definitely isn’t a plague of backwards baseball caps around here.