Bill DeMong. That name should be familiar to you by now. He won Olympic gold at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. Pretty cool stuff, huh?!
But when he was standing on the podium to collect his medal, I noticed something. Neither he nor his teammate, who won silver, put their hands over their hearts while the National Anthem was played. That saddens me.
It saddens me first because I fear we have a young generation who is so full of potential and promise, but who are rapidly forgetting what their freedom cost others. Like Noah, for example. He is elderly now. And he sits at home most days taking care of his beloved wife Ruth, who can no longer walk or talk. Noah fought the Germans in World War II. When I visit with him, he sometimes tells me war stories. I won't bore you with those stories here, but I tell you that what this man experienced in person was horrific, dangerous and heartbreaking. He came within feet of losing his life when a shell exploded in the church in which he and his troop were resting one night. Two of his buddies were blown to bits by the explosion. He had been where they were only moments before. So, when I see an American athlete standing on a podium and not putting their hand over their heart, it shows me that they've never met one of our World War II veterans...or maybe any veteran in person. If they had, they would understand the true significance of the moment they are enjoying.
It saddens me also because of a family I know who are getting ready to lose their freedom. They are going to be deported back to the country they left for America. Yes they were here illegally. Yes they should get their citizenship, like others do. But it's complicated. They were doing the best they could. Then one of the sons made a mistake and got arrested. At dinner tonight, my kid was telling us that he had an "aha" moment because of this experience. My son can go to college. Their kids can't. My son can get a job and earn money. Their sons can't. My son can pursue any career he wants. Their sons can't. My son said to us tonight, "I'm beginning to understand now because of what they can't do." When an American athlete does not put his or her hand over their heart, it is a sign that they do not understand. And when someone doesn't understand, they don't appreciate. This is tragic.
Finally, it saddens me because we are losing our sense of national pride that makes us so great. We are a nation of immigrants. We are a nation of differences, all mixed together and living in harmony. Not putting ones hand over their heart is discounting the very thing that gives that person the opportunity they are enjoying. To me, it is so sad that we are letting our youth get to adulthood without giving them a better foundation. We have no one to blame but ourselves.
But then again, maybe I'm all wet. Maybe putting your hand over heart when the national anthem is played is no big deal.
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