Bad manners at the Olympics?
 

Just curious if any one else has noticed this or is it just me and my "old fashioned" thinking. How come the young athletes from the USA are not putting their hand over their hearts when the National Anthem is being played during the awards ceremony's? The only ones that I have seen do this are dancers, Meryl Davis and Charlie White, the Gold Medalists. It's such a simple show of respect, but it seems to be going to the wayside....too bad.

Heritage
 

When I was growing up you only put your hand on your heart when you pledged allegiance to the flag. You stood at attention when you saluted the flag and sang the Star Spangled Banner. We did that every day before the start of the school day.

I did the same before school every day. But also....when at a parade or any political celebration where a flag was raised, I was taught to put my hand over my chest ( I am female). Also at a parade, when anyone walked by in the parade with the flag, we stood up and paid respect......I know times have changed.

I noticed it too….is it that today's schools don't teach children to do this???
I just saw it on TV with one of our skiing athlete>>> not the first ???
I just don't understand ….

I agree, only for the pledge.

Here is something much worse. I was a career military man, and have seen literally hundreds of men and women in uniform frantically run into buildings when the first note of Retreat was heard. They did this to avoid having to stand at attention and salute while the flag was being lowered at the end of the duty day. Many of them received a tongue lashing from yours truly. In one case, a repeat offender ended up with some non-judicial punishment for conduct unbecoming an NCO.

Here's the official rule....hand over your heart when the flag is displayed during the National Anthem.


United States Code, 36 U.S.C.*§*301, states that during a rendition of the national anthem, when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart; Members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present and not in uniform may render the military salute; men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold the headdress at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart; and individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note; and when the flag is not displayed, all present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed. Military law requires all vehicles on the installation to stop when the song is played and all individuals outside to stand at attention and face the direction of the music and either salute, in uniform, or place the right hand over the heart, if out of uniform. Recently enacted law in 2008 allows military veterans to salute out of uniform, as well.[40][41]

Right and respectful behavior for the rules of behavior concerning the American flag is also right and respectful behavior concerning this country and is also right and respectful behavior concerning the men and women who fought to keep us free and finally right and respectful behavior for such rules means respect for all American citizens.

God Bless America!

It's been so long, I may have forgotten. But I used to love the sound of retreat. I seem to remember that when we first heard retreat, we would turn and face the flag in a position of parade rest. When the first note of the National Anthem was played, we would come to attention and salute. Of course, like many others, to this day I cannot hear a bugle play taps without having to fight very hard to control my emotions.
To absent comrades! "We should never forget the brave men and women who answered our nation's call [to serve] and served the cause of freedom in a special way. We are ever mindful that the sweetness of enduring peace has always been tainted by the bitterness of personal sacrifice. We are compelled to never forget that while we enjoy our daily pleasures, there are others who have endured the agonies of pain, deprivation and death. Let us remember - and never forget their sacrifice.
May they and their families ever be watched over and protected."

I have seen some other athletes put their hand over their heart on the podium but not all of them do it. I would think the Olympic coaches would tell all their team members to do it when on the podium but maybe they are just too stoked up on winning to think patriotic at that moment. Who knows?

How about Baseball players and football players----it's not just Olympic's. It's something that is taught and learned, or not.

The snowboard "dudes" all put their hands over heart when anthem was played. I have seen many of the athletes do it. Don't forget that many elite athletes have not been to traditional schools. Many are also just so excited to have just gotten their medals. It's the same with athletes from other countries.

Yep, the baseball players are probably the worst. While the National Anthem is playing and the camera pans around on the players, lots of them are spitting either tobacco or sunflower seeds while the Anthem is being sung.

You are correct that not all public schools have the pledge of allegiance. In some areas because of the controversy of the "under god " phrase being in or out they have opted to not say the pledge. The result is many young people do not know what is correct. As part of their preparations the US Olympic committee should have it in their briefing I think.

Do not forget in many of the schools, not all of the kids are Americans - and I do not mean illegals. They are not going to pledge allegiance to our flag just as in our Villages clubs, the non-Americans do not pledge allegiance to our flag.

No reason to do this in schools on a daily basis anyhow. It becomes meaningless if just done as a morning chore.