This weekend, we as a nation stop what we're doing and commemorate our independence. We celebrate our freedom by singing our national anthem at any number of sporting events. We take our hats off, hold them over our hearts and salute our nation's soldiers for fighting for something we all take for granted. For some, removing their hat is just something that's supposed to be done. For me, as it always was, it's also a salute in my own way to my dad and something ingrained in me from the time I was very young. You see, my dad wasn't a great athlete, or the smartest man. He wasn't even the best man he could have been sometimes. But, to me, he was the best dad he could be. He was a soldier in Vietnam and fiercely patriotic till the day he passed away. He also loved every sporting event imaginable. We watched hours of boxing, and auto racing, and football, and hockey. He went to every track meet I ran at, taught me to bowl, and came to all my tournaments. He even came to my pick up basketball games when I didn't score a point. I'm not telling you this as a dissertation of what a dad should do, or even what my dad did. I say this because at every meet, every tournament, every game on TV, EVERY time, my father removed his hat and held it over his heart when the national anthem came on. And it was taught that regardless of whether or not a girl had to remove her hat, it was something I should do to show my thanks. If not for the soldiers who fought in wars on this continent and others, I wouldn't have the luxury and freedom to play or watch the sports I did. To remove my hat, and sing the anthem is more than something I should do just because. It's a very small token of my appreciation for having the freedom to do so.
This weekend, I'm sure there will be parents at games cheering on their children as only a parent is able. And there will be the singing of our national anthem as teams peewee to big league take the field of play or as cars prepare to race. For those freedoms, removing your hat is not only something which should be done, but a privilege. It's my hope that every father's child looks up to their dad, sees him remove his hat, and know to do the same as a show of gratitude.
***As a sign of respect to my mother, I learned the Canadian national anthem as well. (Although anyone who frequents Sabres games can probably say the same.)
A very happy belated Canada Day to my family and friends to the North.***
It really grates my nerves when people, especially men, don't remove their caps during the National Anthem. It also grates my nerves when people don't stand for the American flag during parades. Do they think we earned our rights without sacrifice? The may not be fighting, but somewhere, some serviceman/woman is fighting for them. Good post, Nik.
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