Olympic pole vaulter & U.S. soldier drops pole to observe national anthem

FoxSports ^

[Daffynition]

So, what are you suggesting?

That what he did was somehow inappropriate?

[TXnMA]

I applaud his evident desire and attempt to honor the Anthem! However, his (non-)"salute" was no more correct than that (not) rendered by Gabby Douglas.

Since relatively few folks knew that he was active US Military, rendering the 595(C) "civilian salute" (hand over heart) would have been appropriate.

As I read the statute, the 595(B) may render" military salute is an option -- and a privilege.

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Since this was the Olympics, had he:

1. come to proper attention and rendered the military salute -- 10 points

2. stood still and rendered the "civilian salute" = 7 points

3. honored the Anthem as he did = 5 points

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But, I must admit that , since I knew he was military AND an "officer and a gentleman", my expectations were very high...

Bottom line: at the very least, I honor and applaud his attempt...

[Daffynition]

Thank you the explanation of your opinion. I learned something.

It recalled, to me, the offensive black power salute in '68, by medalist sprinters.

.

[TXnMA]

Yep, I remember the "Mexico City Salute".

I even remember laughing at the chuckleheads for not knowing which hand to use... '-)

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When I was in the USAF, I was one of those weirdos who enjoyed being out of doors when Retreat sounded. I'd bail off of my Honda, hit Attention, and hold it -- saluting through "To the Colors" and the National Anthem...

But, I didn't think too highly of folks who made a mad dash to get indoors -- or just pulled their vehicles over and sat there.

However, I wasn't concerned with the bozos who just kept on driving: The APs loved to hand out tickets -- and I didn't envy their having having to stand before their Commanders, explaining how they (or -- worse -- their wives) were busted for "Violation of Military Courtesy"... LOL!

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On the plus side, I once stopped near the playground, where two Little League games were in progress. It warmed my heart to see every ball player and every kid on the play equipment stop, face the flag, stand at attention, and render the civilian salute. If there hadn't been so many of them, I'd have loved to buy every one of them an ice cream!

[thoughtomator]

That attitude will make you increasingly an anachronism in a world where whatever virtues you ascribe to those symbols have been absent for the entire lifetimes of an ever-increasing portion of the human race, already a solid majority.

[Daffynition]

Heh. I’ve reached that stage of my life....that I don’t care what others think. Nothing left to loose, kinda thing. It’s very liberating. Really. ;)