Anthem protesters misguided

Sat., Oct. 1, 2016

Growing up in the 1960s, the movement for Civil Rights included people of incredible integrity. Like James Armstrong, who carried the American flag on March 7, 1965. Though beaten and bloodied as the police charged into the peaceful demonstrators, he refused to let the flag touch the ground.

Can you imagine what would have happened if Jackie Robinson refused to stand during the national anthem? It would have set the integration of baseball back perhaps a decade. Those who throw tantrums in shopping malls, chain themselves to bridges and refuse to stand for our anthem only move the needle backward, never forward.

I stand for the Tuskegee airmen, the Navajo code talkers, the go-for-broke brigade and all those who have served our country. And I’m ashamed of all those who don’t.

Stephen Combs

Chattaroy

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