Patriotism and Respect

Students at BYU come from many different countries, and often you can tell if someone is from the United States or not rather quickly. I love the diversity of my school - it is wonderful to be a part of a global community, and even nicer when some neighbors from other countries are nearby so as to be able to learn from them. I lived in another country as a young child, and while I was there, I was taught to be patriotic toward my own homeland and to be respectful of other nations.

I enjoy being on campus near the flag in the evening when it is ceremonially lowered. A fanfare is played prior to a recording of the national anthem being played as the flag is lowered. If you've been there once for it, there is no question what is about to happen. If you haven't, you hear the anthem begin, and should have a fairly good idea that it's time to be respectful and perhaps even somewhat reverent. Loudspeakers project the sound all over campus, so if you're south of the flagpole, chances are that you will hear The Star Spangled Banner either directly or reflected of the side of some buildings. If I can see the flag and I have time, I watch as two ROTC members finish removing the flag from the flagpole and carefully fold the symbol of our nation's unity and liberty.

Wherever I may be when this nightly rite occurs, I pause when I hear those familiar sounds. I often reflect on what it has taken to obtain and to maintain the liberties that I enjoy. The fact that I'm blogging means that I enjoy freedom of the press. I am the man that I am because of the freedoms I have been endowed with - out of no particular valor on my part. Others fought and bled and died for me, and do so now. This is somewhat humbling to me. As this is my country, I place my hand over my heart when I hear the national anthem play, whether or not I can see Old Glory. I do this out of respect for and love of country. I would hope that everyone on campus within hearing of the sounds of this meaningful anthem would stop in respect (if not love). Sadly, reality is quite different.

On Thursday, as I left campus to return home for the evening, I was a few hundred feet from the flagpole when it came time to lower the flag. This particular evening, I knew I did not have time to stay to watch the flag be folded, for which I was sad, but I knew that as a matter of character, I must always make the time to be respectful and show some small measure of patriotism. So I stopped and placed my hand over my heart to watch as the flag was lowered.

I stood there, in my private reverie, and, as usually seems to occur, a few people on their cell phones, having conversations on their mobile phones about dinner, or what movie to watch, or where to go that evening, continued their conversations, and pretended to be oblivious as to what they were walking by and the anthem they ignored as they yelled above it into their phones. I assume from their accents and speech that they were from the United States. I was greatly saddened by this behavior.

If you are from this country, when the national anthem is played, you should at least stop. I find it meaningful to place my hand on my heart, as I have already stated; I hope you do too! If you are from another nation, I hope you will pause out of respect. I would be surprised to see an individual from another nation place her hand over her heart during my country's national anthem, as I do not expect this.

I am very disgruntled with the egocentricity of my generation! You are not so important that you should interrupt someone else's devotion to country. Stand quietly, if nothing else! But really, tell the person on the phone that you need to call him back in a minute, hang up the phone, and take a minute to remember what has happened so that you have the right to be so disrespectful to your country. Take a moment to remember that you stand on soil that has been cleansed by the blood of innocents, of the brave, of the courageous, of those that loved liberty - for all mankind - more than they valued their own lives! And please, remember, these men and women were people just like you; they had friends, family, social interactions, personal pleasures, things they wanted to do with their lives, perhaps dreams of growing old, rocking their children to sleep, bouncing grandchildren on their knees, watching their spouses become more beautiful and wrinkled with time... Get the point? It was no small sacrifice. Consider those that survived Valley Forge. They lost body parts, if not their lives - and you don't grow back you're toes, in case you were too busy texting in biology to learn.

Has our generation lost so much patriotism? Have you? (I don't suppose anyone in the group that I expect will read this would answer yes to the second question - national issues are a constant issue of discussion among these people who have taught me so much.) I am glad to know that so many of my generation are very patriotic.

So many folks are enlisting in the armed forces. People begin to educate themselves about politics. I don't care so much if I agree with you - your particular point of view may drive me bonkers! But if you've really thought about this, have some personal burning toward the way you are going to vote, and you do it (vote!), I can respect you for fulfilling your civil duty to take a moment to direct your government. I find that patriotic in its own very real way.

Just pressing the straight ticket button (I can't believe they even offer that!) seems lazy, inappreciative (and therefore unpatriotic), and foolish. If you vote straight ticket by looking at each issue, great! But please, think for yourself. Talk with people, debate (heatedly even), strengthen your personal convictions - if you don't have them get them by participating in this process, learn, teach, and think critically, passionately, and compassionately. Encourage others to do the same. If we all do this, we can regain our country from the politicians.

James Madison would turn over in his grave at the strength of factions in our country. Do you blindly let them rule your life? If so, if you think your party with its consistent inconsistency is always right, I submit that your patriotism could use a tune up. Parties change - the dems and repubs have nearly switched roles in the last 100 years. They can't always be right. They try to occupy extremes, and really, how often are extremes correct? Rarely, if ever.

What are your thoughts on the flag issue? On patriotism? On my views on patriotism? Is there something I have expressed that seems too extreme? (Self-checking is always good!)