I went to the United Center last week to see the Chicago Blackhawks open their season at home against the Red Wings from Detroit. I am from Michigan and am in the U.S. Navy stationed at the Naval Training Center, Great Lakes.
The public address announcer introduced the person who would be leading us in the singing of our national anthem and encouraged all in attendance to sing out loudly and with pride. From there, one of the most disrespectful events that I could have ever witnessed took place. With the exception of a friend and myself, I could hear no one else singing. Instead, I was astonished to hear the arena filled with the sound of Americans screaming–just for the sake of making noise. It was just a constant disrespectful din.
Perhaps those in attendance were completely ignorant to the fact that that day, on board the destroyer USS Cole, Americans, my shipmates, the people who put their life on the line to stand the watch so that I can go to a hockey game in a free society, lost their lives. A terrorist attack took them from us, and the thanks they receive are thousands of their fellow Americans desecrating all that they perished for.
I shed tears for them while I sang out as loudly as I could, hoping and praying that my shipmates who have passed could hear my voice over the horrific display of insensitivity.
It is time that all Americans understand why they are free. They are free because brave men and women died and continue to die for freedom. We do not do it for the pay and benefits; we do it because deep down we love what our country is and stands for, and we will do what it takes to maintain it, whatever the cost.
The next time you see our great flag and hear “The Star Spangled Banner,” honor those who have paid the ultimate price to protect your freedom by standing tall and singing proud and shedding some tears. I do.
