The US women absolutely dominated in gymnastics last night – I probably could have performed the final routine and gotten enough points to put them over the top.
Then came the medal ceremony and a great tragedy occurred – at least that is what the Twitterverse seems to think. One of the “Final Five” stood on the stand during the national anthem with her hands at her side instead of with her hands over her heart.
The horror.
Social media lit up with people fit to be tied that Gabby hated America, and was publicly disrespecting the Red, White, and Blue. Hey, folks, can we lighten up on social-media scandal-mongering just a little? Need we turn every action into nuclear war?
But here’s the question: Did Gabby do anything wrong?
I went to school a long time ago, and a lot of things have changed since then. But has anthem protocol changed?
We were taught that when we recited the Pledge of Allegiance we were supposed to put our hands over our hearts as these girls are doing. But when the National Anthem played, we were supposed to stand at attention with our hands AT OUR SIDES.
So, according to the way we were taught back in my day, Gabby was the only one observing proper protocol.
But when I raised this on Facebook, Mike Bergman copied a statement from some website that clearly stated that putting your hand over your heart was proper.
Can anyone help me? What happened?
Does anyone else remember being taught the protocol I was taught – hand over heart for the Pledge, hands at your side for the Anthem? Has this changed?
What’s happening here?
United States Code Title 36 §301. National anthem 1.Designation. — The composition consisting of the words and music known as the Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem. 2.Conduct During Playing — During rendition of the national anthem —1.when the flag is displayed —1.individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note; 2.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 3.all other persons present should face the… Read more »
That is what Mike Bergman showed me.
But all I can say is that we were taught something different “back in my day.”
They changed stuff in 2008, I believe, in reference to non-uniformed vets and saluting.
Couldn’t easily find anything on if they changed code before. Civilian part remained the same.
But from my school days in the 1980s/90s, I only remember the flag etiquette, not the anthem.
I dunno… all I’ve ever heard is that citizens of foreign countries should stand at attention, without saluting of any kind. Everyone else stands at attention, and salutes with either the hand over the heart, or for uniformed (military) members and vets, four finger hand salute.
Something sticks in my mind that the US Code stems from 1923, but I could be wrong.
They added the part about vet being able to salute, not matter how long they had served. In other words, I can salute, even though I no longer wear a military uniform.
Westlaw says it was heavily revised in 1976, a couple of times in the 40s, and it started in the 30s. Unfortunately, I can’t see the pre-1976 versions, so I can’t see what changed at each point.
I graduated high school in 75 and college in 78, so if they made changes in 76 then that would explain it.
My memory isn’t the greatest, but I’m quite sure we were taught to hold our hands at our sides for the anthem back in grade school (in the 60s).
“Westlaw says . . .
Jon beat me to it.
When I was in we were told that placing your hand over your heart is the equivalent of a civilian salute. I don’t know if this has changed, but when I was in Marines never saluted uncovered (not wearing a uniform hat) Except for on a tarmac, Marines were to be covered outdoors and uncovered indoors. Therefore, in uniform indoors we stood at attention for the National Anthem. In civilian attire, we saluted by placing our hand over our heart.
Like you, Dave, “my memory isn’t the greatest” and I honestly can’t remember for certain what I was taught. But I think what we always practiced in school was hand over heart. Like Rick said, I think we also were taught to sing along with the national anthem. I’m only one year behind you (graduation-wise), so it might not just be a generational thing, but perhaps also geographical — that is, that some people in different places may have taught it differently.
As a Marine I was taught 2002-2010 that in uniform or out of uniform we were to stand at attention. No salute, no heart massaging, just stand like a man.
I’ve always been taught that placing ones hand over thier heart is the proper respect for civilians during the national anthem.
Since every other athlete on US teams has placed his/her hand over thier heart – I’m assuming there’s an Olympic team expectation as well. But, that’s an assumption.
I read that there is actually NO instruction given to athletes about behavior during the national anthem, because it is believed that this would violate their freedom.
I’m with you, Dave. Old school here. Hand over heart for pledge. Hands at side for anthem. That’s what I was taught too. You are not alone.
Then again, we used to actually SING the national anthem in public as well. Today, most of the time, we are instructed simply to stand and LISTEN to the national anthem being sung to us—often poorly and with wild variations in musical style. I hope to be with Jesus before we start rapping it.
“often poorly and with wild variations in musical style.”
Thank you. I was in a Marine field band and there was an official version that should not be varied in any way except for cases of reinstrumentation. I don’t watch many sports, but when I do I’m always dismayed by the artistic(?) interpretations of melody and style.
RIck, just for you…
https://youtu.be/ix67meBkBB8
Thank you, Tarheel. I take back 25% of all the bad things I have ever said about you.
Thanks.
Wait. You’ve said bad things about lil ole me??
Unimaginable.
😉
I too have seen it both ways…. must be the age thing.
The remarkable thing is that someone noticed in a culture of bizarreness. I was waiting for MSNBC to blame Trump and spin this into a Russian spy novel. 🙂
Actually, Chris, it was largely Trump people attacking her, from what I saw on Twitter.
See Dave, you are buying into the media hysteria as well! 🙂 Did you retweet?
Just saying, I think that the Trumpeters were well represented in the mob there.
It’s hard to speak for someone else, not knowing their motivation. I do know that Gabby is a committed Christian, and as such might have a conviction that prevents her pledging allegiance to a flag or a country. In my community, we have very many faithful Mennonites who stand for the pledge to the flag/national anthem, but neither repeat/sing it or put their hands over their hearts. And I can’t blame them.
Well, I can and do. Yet, I will defend their right to not pledge allegiance to the Flag of which represents America. But, I don’t agree with their logic, because it is baseless.
To be a patriotic American does not have to in any way diminish one’s loyalty to Christ. The Apostle Paul loved Israel. That’s obvious from reading his letters. However, his love for Christ was not diminished one iota.
A tweet from Gabby:
“First I want to say thank you everyone for all your support! It’s a huge honor for me to be able to represent #TeamUSA. In response to a few tweets I saw tonight, I always stand at attention out of respect for our country whenever the national anthem is played.
I never meant any disrespect and apologize if I offended anyone. I’m so overwhelmed at what our team accomplished today and overjoyed that we were able to bring home another gold for our country.”
…this should settle this among sensible people.
William Thronton,
Right as the rain. The young lady should be left alone and we should be American proud of her. She overcame a lot in life and achieved something of honor. She is that of which constitutes the American Dream.
Absolutely agreed, William.
This is ridiculous.
“…this should settle this among sensible people.”
Agreed. This is the kind of thing that people use to bash politicians whether they should be bashed for other things or not. I appreciate Gabby’s response, her heart in the matter, and hope there are enough sensible people left in the world to let it go.
Yes, standing at attention should not be assumed to imply disrespect.
As one person commented on my FB, if you are getting upset about this, you probably need a hobby.
I agree, but “getting upset” seems to be some folks’ hobby!
“””I never meant any disrespect and apologize if I offended anyone. I’m so overwhelmed at what our team accomplished today and overjoyed that we were able to bring home another gold for our country.””” I think her mistake was indicative of the general deterioration of patriotism in our country in general. When we honor the flag, we are not dishonoring the Lord, as one post above implies. Jesus taught us what it means to be “dual citizens.” That’s a weak argument. She was “overcome” with what her team had done. So overcome with the sports accomplishments of “her team” that… Read more »
You are free to follow your conscious, but I think that there is far from a “weak argument” for abstaining from pledging allegiance to a flag or human government. Yes, Jesus says to give to Ceaser what is Ceasar’s but no where does he imply that our allegiance belongs to anyone but Him. We are to obey and pray for our leaders, but also told to consider ourselves aliens and strangers in our own lands. Just to be clear, I think that this is an area where we have freedom, and I respect that many people differ from me, but… Read more »
Gabby shouldn’t lose any sleep over this…I am 50 yrs old and was taught “hand over your heart” during the Pledge of Allegiance, “hands by your side” during the National Anthem…of course that’s when kids still recited the Pledge every morning.
I’m convinced that, if we found the pre-1976 instruction that Jon referenced above, it would give the instruction I was taught back in the 60s in Cedar Rapids. Back then, learning etiquette on stuff like that was considered very important and we were taught carefully. I’m quite sure my memory on that instruction is clear – though I did have an episode last night at my Bible Study where I was searching all over the worship center for my speakers stand, until the amused congregation pointed out that it was sitting at the front of the church where I’d already… Read more »
At least you got to the right building and on time. Small victories are vital.
I am with Dave and Rick on this one. Hand over the heart during the Pledge of Allegiance. Not during the National Anthem. I am not going to look up the U.S. Code on this. I cannot believe there is a law that applies to this? Very strange. I raced the Boulder Ironman this past Sunday. They played the National Anthem before the start, and I saw people with their hands over their hearts, and I thought, “They are all wrong.” Plus in 3 weeks, I will be at Neyland Stadium where I have seen probably 100 football games in… Read more »
What do you expect when they are singing “rocky top”!
😉
I have read all of the comments in this thread and I now see the problem in its entirety. Dave Miller and Rick Patrick were not birthed of SEC Nations. They were taught poorly in school. That’s all there is to it. The poor guys were just not exposed to cultural priorities of citizenship. Culture and proper ceremonial conduct is just not in their Non-SEC DNA.
ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!
Maybe, CB, since you guys down there are prone to rebellion and secession, forcing us up here to come down there and settle your hash, they make you put your hand on your heart?
Carpetbagger.
CB is right. Salute when they play “Yea, Alabama,” and be respectful when other SEC songs were played. The sole exception is for “War Eagle,” and that is only on the day of the Iron Bowl.
But college football would never be allowed as an Olympic sport. Everyone else would raise cain about that one team that won every time. . . .
This (see Section 6) was in place prior to 1976 when hand over heart language was required by law. Laws to regulate patriotism is what nations like Turkey pass.
http://uscode.house.gov/statviewer.htm?volume=56&page=1077
This settles it for me…I assume non military persons are referenced as “Aliens” in this document.
No, alien refers to non-citizens.
I think football should be a sport in the Winter Olympics and Team USA should be chosen exclusively from the SEC. We would win the Gold every time. We would never lose.
I think the mascot should be an elephant though and not an eagle. I wouldn’t want Auburn to get the bighead. Using the elephant would be OK, because all BAMA fans,coaches, and players are humble and not filled with vain pride like Auburn. Oh yeah, Tigers are strictly denied as mascots. No tigers at all.
Mr. Moderator, I have a point of order. I’m also for SEC football representing to the world (the US population already knows) that we are the superior conference in the world. Mr. CB’s proposal would inevitably link us to the Republican party and his statement about the humility of BAMA nation is sheer conjecture. 🙂
Patriotism is a good thing, but if people are trolling, looking for someone to criticize because they don’t rise to their level of patriotism, then I fear for many it is getting close to idolatry.
Bill,
I think “trolling” is only good when fishing in deep southern rivers big fish and no good comes of “trolling” on the internet.
I think something said once by a guy about bloggers well applies to those who do nothing but troll the internet looking for someone to criticize. “Those are the guys who live in their mother’s basement, sitting in their underwear and bathrobes, writing on their computers.”
CB: I once wanted to be a professional bass tournament fisherman. No trolling allowed.
Bill,
So, I can take it that your last name is not “Dance.”
Ha! No. I was a big fan of Roland Martin though.
CB,
I actually went to high school with Bill Dance’s son. And remember Bill Dance’s hat? T
David
I met him long ago. Brave guy, wore that hat in Alabama. I watch his blooper videos. The one where the big water snake fell in his boat is my favorite.
Bill, Roland Martin was always fun to watch.
I’m as far north in NY as you can go, so I learned (at that time) all about the South from the Harry n Charlie articles in Bassmaster magazine. Moon pies, goo-goo clusters, grits n gravy, Day’s Work. It was like reading science fiction!
The Bassmaster org had a tournament at Alexandria Bay in NY while I was a junior in high school. The first in NY. They discovered a largemouth fishery that was considered one of the best in the country and none of the locals knew it was there. Roland Martin won the tournament.
CB,
I would like your guidance on something. I chose to place the Christian flag over the US flag atop the flag pole of our church. There were mixed reactions to this. I stated that we were pilgrims here and that our citizenship is in Heaven, therefore the reason for the action. Could you give me your opinion on this? In the interest of full disclosure, I changed it back because it caused a little confusion/controversy among the brethern.
Stuart
Stuart, in the absence of an answer from CB, I’d like to give what I am sure would be his reply. You should have the Auburn flag flying in front of your church. 🙂
Cow doctor.
Les,
In my neck of the woods it would be either Clemson or that other team. Needless to say, it would never be the unmentionable team.
And unlike others, I do not pull for a conference. I pull for a team. The unmentionable team around here likes to tour their conference because their team stinks. It’s kind of like saying “My wife may be a dog, but you should see my big brothers wife- she’s a babe!”
Les, tour should have been tout.
JS Houston, So, you had your own little Iconoclastic revolt. If you really want my opinion, here it is. Flags have their origin in human experience. Old Glory is the symbol of a nation. It is not representative of a nation chosen of God above another nation. Due to the fact that the USA is my nation, I honor the Grand Old Flag. My birth heritage flag would be the flag of Northern Ireland, yet I do not fly it above the flag of my earthly homeland. I am an American and am glad to be one. (I have seen… Read more »
Wag the dog! This scandal only draws our attention away from important issues. I for one do not place my hand over my heart during the national anthem. I stand at attention. Like Dave (who is much older than me), I was taught that as the anthem played, you stood at attention with hands at your sides. As many have suggested, too many people need a hobby. However, on this note and to tie in with Pastor Dave’s recent article about sport figures testimonies, I recently talked with a gentleman who is having difficulty pledging allegiance to a country that… Read more »
My thoughts exactly! Plus, I’m glad this is a country where we can’t be thrown in jail or worse for how we express our national devotion or lack thereof (within reason, of course). No hand on her heart? Doesn’t bug me at all.
CB,
Thank you so much for the reply. The human origin concerning the flag was lost on me. Duh! Thank you for the guidance brother. I knew you would be clear, concise, reasonable and passionate. I defer now to this position. Sometimes young preachers like myself can be stubborn and hot headed… Wait, I’m not that young anymore. Anyway, I digress! Thanks again CB.
Stuart