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Forgive me, for I have a grievance to share with my clients, friends, and family. This grievance is meant to travel far beyond those closest to me – my message isn’t necessarily meant for you, though it should resonate. Before I continue, I hope you will consider sharing this piece with people you know. The power of the pen is mightier than the sword. Should anyone disagree with me, I welcome the conversation…along with the force of an alma mater preparing to celebrate its 250th anniversary.
I enjoy drinking a cup of coffee in the morning, especially on weekends. I get to spend quality time with my wife in the quiet of our home. On mornings when the weather will allow, we sit on our patio enjoying the sounds around us – a gentle breeze whispering through the trees, birds singing their songs, crickets chirping, the hum of cars as they pass by, a not-so-distant train horn. I sometimes close my eyes, breathe deeply, and focus on the warmth of the morning sun on my skin. Time, the greatest historian, seems to slow and all seems well with the world. Let me assure you – this comes at a cost.
Freedom is not free. People have short memories. When you combine these facts, the result is…the world we live in. I had the privilege of traveling to Chicago last week where I watched the Cubs play the New York Yankees at Wrigley Field. Anthony Rizzo, former Cubs player and 2016 World Series Champion (now a Yankee), made his return to Wrigley field and was welcomed back like an American hero. The Cubs prepared a welcome home video for Rizzo and played it on the big screen over right field. Rizzo stepped out of the Yankees dugout and received a standing ovation from the home crowd. He trotted to center field to wave to everyone – this was the loudest the stadium would be for the rest of the afternoon as the Yankees went on to hold the Cubs to one hit.
The troubling part of my experience, and the grievance I resentfully share with you today, has nothing to do with Anthony Rizzo (I have significant respect for Rizzo and his philanthropic endeavors), the Chicago Cubs being held to one hit, or my enjoyment of coffee in the morning with my wife. My grievance is with an America that disrespectfully walks around during the playing of our National Anthem. My grievance is with an America that refuses to remove its cap and stand at attention while “The Star-Spangled Banner” is being performed. My grievance is with an America that continues conversation while a song signifying our freedom rings across the stadium and the American flag waves over center field. Shame on us. Allow me to write that again with more emphasis. SHAME ON US! Our flag is still there!
How confused can we possibly be? A stadium full of 40,000+ got out of their seats to welcome back a former player but couldn’t be bothered to quiet themselves and honor the sacrifice of people who put their life on the line so we can watch men throw a baseball and swing a bat. This wasn’t the case for everyone in the stadium – many stood at attention with caps removed, but many didn’t. This bothers me immensely. Some may argue the sacrifice made by US Soldiers gives us the freedom not to stand – I vehemently disagree. There are people actively trying to take away our freedom. All my readers should remember what happened on September 11, 2001. Don’t allow your memory to fall short. Never forget.
The actions of people who disrespect our flag disgust me. The same people who willingly make the sacrifice to fight for our freedom are the same people we would be on our hands and knees begging to fight if that freedom was taken away. What if you were on one of the planes that was hijacked in 2001? Imagine your loved ones were in one of the towers as it collapsed. My encouragement to those who think it is appropriate to display this type of behavior is to have some reverence and show some respect. This is the land of the free and the home of the brave. America is no place for a coward. Stand up, take your cap off, put your hand over your heart, and stop blabbering about something that nobody cares about anyway. If you don’t appreciate freedom, move somewhere there isn’t any and stay there. You’ll likely find yourself with the hundreds of thousands of people doing whatever it takes to get here each year.
I have a deep love for America. Should God bless my wife and me with children one day, I want them to experience what I have experienced and more. That’s what America is all about. It is THE land of opportunity. I want them to go to a school and create friendships that will one day transcend this world, enjoy coffee in the morning with their spouse, work a career where they help people achieve their dreams, and one day I want them to go to a baseball game and sing “Take Me Out to The Ballgame” during the 7th inning stretch. Maybe they will have the opportunity to run out to center field and tip their cap to 40,000+ people after becoming a World Series Champion (and more impressively start a foundation helping pediatric cancer patients and their families). Mr. Rizzo, should this somehow find you, I tip my cap to you in return.
I do not want a world where Americans don’t swell with pride when our fighter jets scorch overhead in formation. I do not want a world where Americans no longer pray for the safety of our naval fleet as it sails toward foreign lands to defend our allies. I do not want a world where Americans don’t celebrate when our soldiers return safely after completing a covert mission, successfully eliminating terrorists who killed women and children. I do not want a world where Americans no longer stand at attention as the guard changes at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Unfortunately, I believe this world is approaching more rapidly than we all realize, which is my purpose for writing today. I hope the children of generations to follow are taught to respect our flag. I hope they are taught to show humility, understand dignity, and display a sense of appreciation for our beautiful country. I hope they are taught to know there is evil in this world, sometimes right under their nose. Furthermore, I hope they are taught that if ignored, the evils might alter their senses and make them numb to what is right and just. I hope they are taught to appreciate their freedom.
Be well,
Spell Carr
“I may never know the answers to the questions that plagued me after 9/11. But I know if we lean on God and each other we will be guided to a better, brighter future.”
– Michael Hinson, 9/11 Survivor
