Folks, I was at St. Labre High School last week for another YCN Sports broadcast covering one of our three local high school’s basketball games where instead of playing our “National” Anthem, we all stood at attention and listened to their “Flag” song. This has also happened at Lodge Grass over the last couple years where each tribe, group or reservation plays their own song instead of our United States National Anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner.
At the beginning of each varsity game broadcast and before the National Anthem is played, I say on our YCN Sports broadcast that “this is an opportunity for ALL of us to come together under ONE FLAG, ONE CAUSE and ONE COUNTRY before they then oppose each other.” I say this as many of the games are competitive, enthusiastic, sentimental as well as physically and emotionally draining, especially when both of our YCN Sports rival teams Huntley Project and Shepherd play each other in their “Battle of the Bridge” games and competitions. As close as our two communities are located, it’s a bridge that separates yet connects us together, hence a fun, respectful, and entertaining way to bring Montana High School Sports together.
BUT before they oppose each other, we ALL come TOGETHER in UNITY to respect, recognize, honor and show appreciation for the many freedoms, sacrifices, liberties, and blessings we share as a people living here in the United States of America.
I have asked the athletic directors on the reservations why they don’t play the National Anthem? Isn’t this their country as well? Can you not play both Anthems (at a minimum)?
These are some of the comments and feedback I’ve received when asking about it.
“Our elders of the tribe say we’re only playing one song.”
“It takes too much time to play both songs.”
“It’s our version of the flag song.”
“Our flag song is patriotic as well.”
“It reflects our feelings of the national anthem.”
“It’s our version of the national anthem.”
“It’s our culture and our opportunity to express ourselves.”
“This is our national anthem.”
“Other schools have their flag song as do we.”
“It’s the only time we come together to hear it.”
While I understand these sentiments and comments about their flag and song might be genuine and good intended in trying to preserve one’s culture and such, the underlying symbolism and disrespect is also noted as un-American.
There are many reasons why we play our national anthem, the Star-Spangled Banner which is performed to foster unity, patriotism, and a respect for our national values while also acting as a shared, ceremonial pause for reflection throughout our country. It serves to honor the country, its history, and the sacrifices made, where it strengthens a collective sense of identity and community.
I lived outside the United States for two years as a missionary serving God’s children in Panama and there learned and appreciated even more the freedoms and blessings I have today as an American.
I have three boys currently living outside the United States right now in Africa, South America and the Philippines. They have expressed their pride, gratefulness, gratitude and emotional sentiments of how great the United States of America is as they are all serving God’s children in their respective parts of the world.
Seeing the lack of services, health care, basic necessities, law and order, public amenities and government programs in other countries just attributes their desire to appreciate and not take for granted what we have in the United States. They understand the greatness of the United States, our National Anthem, our flag and what it represents.
Standing for the national anthem with our hand over our heart also allows us as a citizens the opportunity to respect those who have served, sacrificed, and even died for our freedoms we have today.
My dad has some native blood in him. He is also a veteran. I have family that still live on a reservation today. We have a lot of veterans in Montana that live among us, even those that are natives that have served and even died fighting for our country. I have pioneer ancestors that were persecuted for their beliefs and suffered greatly, and I also recognize the polarity of issues about race that still exist today. However, the fact that we as a people that live in the greatest nation on this earth can’t come together under ONE FLAG, ONE CAUSE, ONE COUNTRY, & ONE PEOPLE is disappointing.
I call on our elected officials, whether it be on a national or state platform or even the Montana High School Association level to help unite us in nothing else than standing for the national anthem and United States flag while honoring those who have served, sacrificed and even given their own lives so that we may be free to worship, live and partake in the many blessings our country affords.
As for me and YCN Sports, we will stand at attention and honor those who have served, sacrificed and defended our country while we show respect for our flag and play OUR national anthem, even if I have to do it at halftime on our own radio broadcast.
Until then, see you in the paper,
JDM
