Take the opportunity to learn

Much is being said and written this weekend about actions instigated by a professional football player choosing to protest by not standing during the playing of the National Anthem.  

He definitely has a right to protest.

But I wonder if he's taken time or opportunity to learn about what the flag means to so many Americans?  And the impact of his protest on these Americans?

Maybe he'd learn something if he visited Miramar National Cemetery.  Particularly during a military funeral.

Or visit Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.

Or attend a military funeral in small town USA.

Or talk with the family of a Marine who has deployed multiple times overseas.  (In the lower right corner of the pick-up truck rear window, it reads, "Deploy #10," meaning this Marine was returning from his tenth deployment.)  Like the vast majority of Americans, Ms. Kaepernick can't comprehend what a military deployment means and its impact.)

 

Or maybe he could join in welcoming home a Marine Corps unit from an overseas deployment.

Maybe Mr. Kaepernick could learn something of the value of the symbol of our nation at one of these locations or events.


Stipulating there is indisputably much to be done in the area of racial and ethnic relations, I nevertheless disagree with the form of his protest.  But it is unimportant and inconsequential if I agree or disagree.  However, it would be positive for forms of protests to be carefully considered beforehand, which may not have been the case.  

It is my sensing Kaepernick's upbringing and formative years of his youth were focused not on patriotism, but on developing and honing God given physical talents and athletic skills in pursuit of that NFL contract.  Good for him, living the American dream.  If this sensing is correct, he should not be blamed or criticized for his ignorance of the enormous feeling of disrespect created by the form of his protest.

Sadly, those who have and are serving our nation may miss his message in their outrage to its form.

To help him understand, there are opportunities to learn.  Reach out, visit a military cemetery, attend a military funeral, attend a welcome home ceremony for a military unit, talk with a veteran (I'd volunteer in an instant), read some history.  
Take the opportunity to learn so your protest can be put in context.

With my comrades, we served so to protect the rights of all Americans, including the right of free speech, upon which the ability to protest is built.  We may not agree with that free speech, but we proudly served to ensure the right for all Americans.

And we proudly wave the American flag.