Rights Vs, Right

I am going to do something I said I would not do, but it is something I cannot get out of my head. You would have to live under a rock not to have heard about the controversy with NFL athletes and their actions when the National Anthem is played. I have chosen not to get involved publicly because the one thing that is being sought is attention. If you do not agree with what they are doing, not acknowledging it is probably the worst thing you can do to them.

Why are the players kneeling during the Anthem? I am not sure I understand and I am not entirely sure most of them really understand why. Until I understand their cause I am not going to comment about my feelings and what they are doing. I only hope that they truly know and understand what it is that they are making a statement for and not blindly following.

No, I do not know their motivation for kneeling during the National Anthem. However, I completely know and understand why I stand for the Anthem and cover my heart. First, I stand because I do think this nation is the best place on this planet and I am proud to be a citizen of the United States of America. I know that the rights and privileges afforded me by simply being a citizen are fragile and can disappear in a very short amount of time.

I stand because I hold this country very near and dear to my heart. I stand because I value the freedom to practice my religion and to honor my God. I stand because I have the right to speak whatever is on my mind. I stand because we have the fairest judicial system in the world and I challenge you to provide proof otherwise. Is it perfect? No, but it is the best in the world. Can it be made better? Absolutely, and that is another reason I stand. We have the power to make a difference in our government and make changes.

Any of the reasons I have mentioned are more than enough reasons to stand and pay tribute to this great nation. We are blessed to live here and that is something most of us take for granted. We have no idea how good we have it. Yes, those are all good reasons to stand and reasons that play into my choice, but they are not the main reason I stand for the National Anthem.

I was reminded of the reason I stand for the National Anthem just today. Dad and I were talking to a friend about the situation surrounding the NFL. My friend’s father served in World War II, fought on the front lines and made it home. I remember him marching in parades with the color guard and flying the flag out in front of his house. He was proud of his flag and of his nation, so proud that he did his duty and put his life on the line for each of us. He saw things so horrible that he never wanted to speak about them again, things that we could not imagine.

My wife’s grandfather had a similar experience and was wounded so badly he spent months in the hospital and carried the scars his entire life. They didn’t do this for the glory but rather because it was their duty and it was something that had to be done. They were brave beyond my comprehension. Then they came home, built lives, families and farms and they held the flag and the Anthem in the highest place of reverence and I promise you they stood each time the flag passed and the anthem was played. I stand in their honor.

Finally, I stand for the Anthem because I knew SFC Forrest Robertson. Sargent Robertson was a hero we should all honor, one who paid the highest price for our freedom. His family, wife and daughters live in my community and I witness their sacrifice and it is for him and them that I stand with my hand over my heart. I have seen their pain and witnessed their pride. What we owe them is a debt none of us can ever pay and but one I acknowledge through my rising for the National Anthem and for our flag.

The beauty of this great nation is that you can chose to do what you think is right. I cannot attest to know what is in the heart and the minds of those who do not stand for the National Anthem. It is their choice I would not make and certainly don’t agree with. I can only speak to my intentions and my actions. I am proud citizen of the United States of America, but just as importantly I am humbled by and understand the sacrifices of men like Lyle Carr, Allen Drake and Forrest Robertson. Those reasons and those heroes are why I will always stand for the Anthem and the Flag with my hand over my heart and that will never change.

Respecting the Thin Blue Line

This morning was one of those mornings that reminds me of why I have chosen to live “out in the boonies”. It was the first cool morning in a week or so and I shut the air conditioner off and opened the windows. There are very few things in this world that I enjoy more than listening to the outside world while drinking my morning coffee with a cool breeze gently blowing through the window.

The world seemed so calm and quiet it was almost surreal. It was easy to just let go of everything for a minute and just allow my mind not to dwell on the issues at hand. For a minute I had no places to go, nothing to worry about and no one to tell me otherwise. That moment was a good thing and those moments are probably about all that keep me sane

Those moments of temporary sanity are great because lately it seems as though the world is spinning out of control. OK, I know I am sounding like Chicken Little and the sky is not falling, but there are days when I wonder what our world and society have come too. All one has to do is to watch the evening news and you wonder what we have degenerated into.

Professions that used to be above reproach and held up as pillars of society have come under scrutiny and seem to be treated without respect. Each night it seems as though our law enforcement community is under the microscope or worse have come under attack. I must admit that I have a couple of members of my family and many friends who serve in law enforcement and I may not be the most unbiased source but the lack of respect for the men and women who protect us is sickening to me.

Sure I have grumbled about the policeman who pulled me over but after a day or two of reflection I must admit that they had a reason. Even then I have always had the utmost respect and admiration for those who protect us daily. They are the ones who run into dangerous situations when all of the rest of us are running away. All of the law enforcement officers I know only have the best of intentions and are public servants to the core. That is why it pains me so greatly to see them targeted and maligned.

I am not sure what we have come to as a society when we scrutinize the cops first and seem not to worry about the situation they are in or the criminals who created them. Society seems eager to jump to judgment on the police action. Police officers, sheriff’s deputies and state troopers must make split second, life and death decisions with public safety always first and foremost in their minds.

Sure there are probably a few bad apples in the basket, there are in every profession. I would guess that there are fewer in law enforcement than most other jobs. It would be awfully hard to go through the training and dedication it takes to be in law enforcement and not have the best of intentions. Thankfully I have not needed law enforcement too many times in my life but when I have needed them I have appreciated what they have done for me.

The couple of times I have been in an accident I have found the deputies or police officers to be kind, courteous and compassionate.  Of course I have also treated them with respect and admiration because I respect the badge they wear.  It is a two way street and I know they also appreciate being treated as a professional. I know they are placed in bad situations daily and I admire them for keeping their poise and wits during difficult times.

I, for one, am going to make a greater attempt to show my appreciation for the brave men and women who protect us. I am so proud of my cousins and friends who put their lives on the line each day so we can live our lives without fear. I rest easier each night knowing that if I need help a caring, competent professional is only a few minutes away. Each of them is truly heroes in my eyes.

So as I sit here in the early morning peace, meditating on my last cup of coffee I will say a prayer for all of those who are sacrificing for each of us. This world may be going crazy and I may not understand all that is happening but I know that we are all a lot safer because of the brave men and women who protect us.