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Northview Veterans Program: ‘When I Hear The National Anthem Play, I Don’t Take A Knee’
November 10, 2016
Northview High School honored veterans Tuesday at their annual Veterans Day program.
Guest speaker was former Northview teacher Tom Meehan, a United States Army and Vietnam veteran. He served for four years, 1968-1972, as a helicopter pilot and reached the rank of CWO2.
Meehan told of Harry and Heath – a Vietnam war roommate killed in action and a roommate that later took his own life due to post traumatic stress disorder. And he addressed the recently controversial practice in our nation of not standing during the National Anthem.
“When I hear the National Anthem play, I don’t take a knee to protest some social injustice. I stand at attention, place my hand over my heart and with a tear in my eye think of Harry and Heath and all the other veterans throughout this nation’s history that made America the greatest country on earth,” Meehan told the Northview students.
He said all veterans deserve respect.
“All veterans, whether they served at peacetime or at war, at home or abroad, on the front lines or in the rear, have one thing in common. They all made a pledge to duty, honor, country,” he said.
The event also included the reading of essays from Northview NJROTC cadets Jacob Borelli, Hannah McGahan and Alyssa Borelli; a special recognition for local veterans and NJROTC flag detail presentation.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
12 Responses to “Northview Veterans Program: ‘When I Hear The National Anthem Play, I Don’t Take A Knee’”
@Debbie,
Me too! Seven different schools, several different states and Puerto Rico and the Philippines to be with my Navy dad. My sister is a retired Coastie, so I can relate. The dependents of our Veteran’s and active duty personnel need to be recognized for their contributions too.
@Debbie – Semper Paratus!
Anyone that won’t stand for the National Anthem can find another country to live in.
I am proud of our military. My dad was in the Coast Guard for 23 years
Not only do are military need to be commended too. I lived in
six different schools and 8 different states to be near my dad
when you put on the uniform no matter what branch you sign a contract with this country to defend it from all enemys forgen and domestic this includes giving your life
“Taking a knee” just reminds us that there are petulant children in this country that take but never give, think the country owes them everything but have never served.
During a flag ceremony or the singing of the National Anthem is not the place to protest a wrong or a view. All soldiers are taught and learn that while in uniform your views are suppressed. You are a representative of your country. This same principle applies to an individual when wearing a uniform of a football team or you are “on the clock” for any company. Your rights are suppressed until you take the uniform off or “clock out” or quit! Many of our friends,family and loved ones died to give us the right to be stupid!.
great article. happy birthday USMC, 241 years young. Semper Fi
Thanks to both of you men for your service to our country. Thanks to these fine students for their program. I hate this “taking a knee” protest, but at least it serves to remind us that we still have the freedom to do so.
I will fly my flag proudly on the front of my home. I will place my hand over my heart and stand straight and tall in respect of everything and everyone for which it stands. I will sing our national anthem and take the pledge of allegiance, and wipe away the tears in my eye as I do so. I will remember all those for whom we pray to come home safely and for those whose lives were given in defense and service to our country. I will honor those who serve and have served. I will never, ever excuse those who refuse to honor our nation and its colors.
Taking a need is a sorry way out of anything. Our honorable citizens know that you can stand up and fight for what you believe in or take a knee, bow your head and let the enemy cut it off. If you want to protest then stand up, show respect for the country that gives you the right to protest and do something other than giving up.
From one Vet to another…. Thank you sir. I was in the AF for 23 years. Several of my 1966 Aggies died in Nam.. One was Fred Sheffield , a CWO like yourself, and a Huey pilot. His chopper went down. He was part of 1st Cav.