[frog in a pot]

...a colossal waste of taxpayer money.

On the other hand, it could well be viewed as a big "stick it up your nose (etc.)" gesture to the kneelers.

Perhaps more likely, it is intended to remind Americans how seriously and how well we regard defense and security.

[vooch]

“...Perhaps more likely, it is intended to remind Americans how seriously and how well we regard defense and security....”

And how much we have strayed from Eisenhower’s sage advice

[al baby]

only if they straffed the field