I attended the Independence Day parade in Ridgefield, WA yesterday. This parade has become an annual occurrence for my family. It is a small town parade (plenty of tractors, the Mustang club, politicians, town little league teams, even two F-15 fighter jets doing a fly-over). It is a fun experience of small town American celebrating its patriotism.
Yet, one thing bothered me.
As the Honor Guard presenting the colors passed us, maybe half the people that lined each side of the street actually stood in honor of our national symbol. Most people were clapping (even the ones siting). But very few actually stood at attention. I noticed the same thing the year before.
Growing up, whenever we watched a sporting event (or anything) where the National Anthem was played, us kids were required to stand. We were to show respect to the flag at all times.
I don't know why people didn't stand. Laziness, apathy, indifference, ambivalence? Maybe they weren't taught how to respect the flag; the symbol of our liberty. The symbol of those who died so that we could have a day off to sit on the side of a street with indifference as the Stars and Stripes passed by.
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