Pledge of Allegiance, National Anthem helps instill patriotism

To the Editor,

I remember, as a youth growing up, how we used to say the Pledge of Allegiance every morning before school started.  It was a way of showing our patriotism to our country and it was a way to remember the blessings we have as citizens of this great nation.  

I was recently informed that there are schools who do not do that anymore and other schools who only say it on Mondays. If we are going to instill a patriotic attitude within the hearts and minds of the generations coming after us, I believe we are headed the wrong way. 

Another significant point which has caught my attention for a number of years has to do with the singing of the National Anthem. I fondly remember going to all types of athletic events at my high school while growing up. At each of those events they would began by inviting the athletes and fans present to join in the singing of our National Anthem.  

For me, it was a neat thing to be a part of and I felt a sense of unification with those who participated in lifting their voices with me in an act of patriotism. That is definitely not the case today!

What you do hear suggested at these activities is an invitation to stand for the playing of the National Anthem. My wife and I certainly do stand in re-spect, but we also sing along. And the funny thing of it all is the looks we sometimes get from people around us when we do sing. It is almost like we are an oddity in the crowd.  

As for me, I would love to see patriotism back on the rise and I would like to see it heightened in our schools and school activities.  

I would like to thank those individuals who do feel it is still important to say the Pledge of Allegiance and sing the National Anthem.

David J. McCarty

Britton