What would you do If you saw somebody that you knew was active duty, in civilian clothes, eating a hotdog as they play the national anthem?

MSgt Allen Chandler — Sun, 01 Aug 2021 11:09:41 -0400

Weather, you agree with them or not Most of the people taking the knee During the national anthem do it for a reason. What do you say about all the people Who disrespects the national anthem Just because they don't care.

Response by SP5 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2021 11:46 AM

SP5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Aug 2021 11:46:11 -0400

MSgt Allen Chandler We have a right to care. When it becomes an obligation to care we become subjects of the government, rather than citizens of the nation.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Aug 1 at 2021 12:11 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Sun, 01 Aug 2021 12:11:15 -0400

The hot dog vendor should not be open to sell the hot dog until the National Anthem has concluded

Response by 1stSgt Dennis Berger made Aug 1 at 2021 1:42 PM

1stSgt Dennis Berger — Sun, 01 Aug 2021 13:42:36 -0400

War story time. When I was first sergeant for the 58th Airlift Squadron at Altus AFB my kids, ages 8 and 4, would go to the base pool with their sitter and since it was across the street from the squadron I would go get them and they would come back to my office while unfinished up the day. One day I was trying to get things wrapped when one of. My orderly room troops came in and said, “you’ve got to see this.” She took me outside where my two kids were standing at attention wi tho hands over hearts during retreat. While most folks try to avoid that, mine walked out to honor it. Proud dad.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2021 4:03 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Aug 2021 16:03:29 -0400

Um...I wouldn't care. It's literally just a song. The oath we take is to what? Support and defend the Constitution. Not a flag. Not a song. So if I saw that - I honestly wouldn't spend any time worrying about it. There are much, much bigger issues going on in the military and the world than your scenario.

Response by SMSgt Bob W. made Aug 1 at 2021 4:10 PM

SMSgt Bob W. — Sun, 01 Aug 2021 16:10:27 -0400

Where was the "hotdog" being eaten? A ball game--big deal. What are you suppose to do--stand at attention with the mustard running down your pants leg. Maybe stand up and hold the dog in front of you until the anthem is completed. Have you looked at children recently at a ball game; most of them stand with their hats on. They don't know any better.

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Aug 1 at 2021 6:54 PM

Cpl Vic Burk — Sun, 01 Aug 2021 18:54:04 -0400

MSgt Allen Chandler I wouldn't like it but there isn't anything you can really do about it. If the person was in uniform I might say something. And how do you know they don't care? Maybe they just don't know any better. Just saying!

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Aug 1 at 2021 9:19 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Sun, 01 Aug 2021 21:19:21 -0400

You can either say something or you can hold your tongue. Without further details and context it would be in the hands of the person in that situation. Eating a hotdog without any other details doesn't truly speak to the intent of the individual being disrespectful or not.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2021 11:24 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Aug 2021 23:24:42 -0400

I would do the same as I expect others would do in my case....nothing. I will do as I wish during the Anthem and others will do as they wish. I live in America and not N.Korea. I did not go to Iraq twice, Afghanistan twice , and Africa once so that we could have compulsory anthem standing.

Response by 1SG Bill Farmerie made Aug 2 at 2021 4:28 PM

1SG Bill Farmerie — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 16:28:13 -0400

I would discuss it with them later since you indicated I knew them

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Aug 2 at 2021 5:50 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 17:50:34 -0400

Civy clothes, indoors or out doors, under cover or not, can you stand next to them and hear the music? He/she may not. Does this person have any kind of hearing issue? I would tend to give them the benefit of the doubt, unless it is painfully obvious. Then pull them aside and correct them, but don't embarrass them in public.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2021 7:43 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 19:43:26 -0400

Concur that we can not expect anyone to render honors. Slippery slope to totalitarianism. Now if they saluted with the hot dog in hand, that would have needed a video.