By Mike Donahue

Moapa Valley Progress

The U.S. flag, the good old Stars and Stripes, is a symbol of just about everything we hold dear in America. For more than 200 years it has been a representation of our strength, our freedom and our unity as a nation.

For Americans, the flag is (or should be) a source of pride, motivation and, most of all, of inspiration. As such it is due a certain proscribed respect.

In 1861 a well-known Congregationalist minister wrote: “Our flag carries American ideas, American history and American feelings. It is not a painted rag. It is a whole national history. It is the Constitution. It is the Government. It is the emblem of the sovereignty of the people. It is the Nation.”

And just as our flag is a symbol of who we are as a nation; so, too, is the national anthem a symbol of America. It’s no accident that when The Star-Spangled Banner is played, a flag is flying nearby.

Briefly, the national anthem was written in 1814 by Francis Scott Key after witnessing the British bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore. Despite the devastating 25-hour attacking, the fort refused to surrender and the British forces eventually retreated.

Following an agonizing sleepless night and just after the deep black before dawn faded with the rising sun, Key spied the enormous 30-by-42-foot standard still waving in the morning breeze over the fort. He immediately began scribbling the song on the back of an envelope he took from his pocket.

Today the national anthem is played at nearly every sporting event in the country, from the pros down to the littlest leagues. It is played to honor our country and remind us of all those men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice protecting our nation and its ideals.

Recently I have noticed a growing lack of respect for the flag and Star-Spangled Banner from those in attendance at sporting events. Again, all the way from the pros down to our very own Moapa Valley High School.

When the anthem plays, a U.S. citizen should stand at attention, place his left hand along the left leg, face the flag and place his right hand over his heart. Someone walking to their seat should stop, face the flag and place their right hand over their heart. Men should remove their hats and place their right hand over their hearts. Etiquette asks that citizens stop talking, chewing gum, eating, drinking and actually pay attention. COME ON, how hard is that?

At a recent basketball game between Moapa Valley and Boulder City, I noticed several players, AND COACHES, standing with both hands behind their backs or crossed in front. Some were yakking like long-lost buddies. At least two coaches had hands in their pockets.

While the majority of the players and coaches were paying proper respect, those who weren’t were very noticeable.

After saying something to a Moapa school official, he suggested I say something to the principal. Now I won’t say which principal I talked to, but I will say I did not speak to Grant Hanevold.

In short, I introduced myself to the man and after a few words – NICE WORDS — I asked if the disrespect his players and coaches had showed that night toward the flag and national anthem was a typical practice at his school. (No sense in beating around the bush.)

He said he had never noticed if his high school players and coaches ever paid proper respect to the flag.

“Hey,” he said, “we say the Pledge of Allegiance every morning.” As though that action was supposed to excuse the behavior at that night’s game.

“What exactly are you asking me?” he continued. “I’m getting pretty annoyed at your questions.”

“I just want to know if the disrespect I saw by your players during the national anthem was a typical practice,” I repeated.

“I don’t know,” he said again. “I never looked.”

Maybe it’s time he started looking. After all, shouldn’t the principal of a high school at least notice the behavior his coaches and players display during public outings? Don’t those coaches and players represent the school and shouldn’t that principal at least be aware of how it’s being represented? Especially when he’s standing right behind them watching?

There are American men and women serving, fighting, dying all over the world for the ideals represented by our flag and anthem. I believe it’s important they know we are behind them 100 percent and they have our respect, our esteem, our appreciation.

I also believe that simply by properly respecting our flag and anthem we are demonstrating our support for those American service people.

When the anthem plays, when the flag passes, show some respect — stand up, get your hands out of your pockets, shut up, take your hat off and place your hand over your heart.

“Rural Rants” is a column about rural living and the people who live here. It appears the first and third Wednesday of the month. Your comments and input are important and will be appreciated. Contact me via email at mouse@mvdsl.com.

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