Stand up or GTFO.

[sexobon]

Originally Posted by Happy Monkey

That's silliness. It's not the anthem of the military. The services have their own songs. It's the anthem of the whole USA, and he was protesting a domestic nationwide issue. ...

Military people don't generally find it offensive; but, it's not silliness either.

When the flag is raised and Reveille is played in the morning on military installations; also, when the flag is lowered and Taps is played in the evening, everyone within sight and sound (who's reasonably able to) stops what they're doing, faces the flag (or the direction the sound is coming from) and either salutes when in uniform; or, places their hand over their heart when not. Even if in vehicles, they pull over to the side of the road (much as you would for a passing emergency vehicle) and step out of the vehicle to salute. They also stand for the National Anthem.

It's tradition that stems from devotion to this country and those who have been a part of it, past and present, making it what it is today. It's somewhat like the Muslim tradition of facing Mecca to pray five times a day out of devotion in that they both address the totality of what is being revered.

Military personnel don't expect civilians to mimic their traditions anymore than Muslims expect infidels to mimic theirs. Neither do they expect them to subvert those traditions; however, to protest some part of the whole. I wouldn't go to a sporting event in this country and not stand for the National Anthem anymore than I would go to a prayer session in a Muslim country and not kneel facing Mecca. Those who would do these things are seen by military personnel as small minded and distasteful ... pitiful rather than offensive.

Most all military personnel have some issue with the country they revere just as most all Muslims have some issue with the religion they revere; but, most all rise above it recognizing there's another time and place to address those. The disappointing exceptions ultimately fall by the wayside.