Standing at attention

Visiting relatives in Tyler, Texas, we attended Tyler’s Robert E. Lee High School Red Raider football game against the Mesquite Stallions from Mesquite, Texas, just outside Dallas. It was a robust game won by the home team 50 to 21.

Prior to the game and before the teams came on the field to begin playing, the field announcer requested everyone stand for a moment of silence for our armed forces personnel. After that the announcer requested the fans of Mesquite stand and sing their alma mater. Then, as their superb band played their fight song, the Stallions rushed onto the field. Then the announcer requested the home team stand and sing their alma mater. Then, as the Red Raiders ran on the field, their excellent band played their fight song, “Waiting for the Robert E. Lee.”

Then the announcer requested everyone stand and face the flag for the national anthem. All team members with their hand or helmet on their hearts stood at attention, as did all the fans until the anthem finished. There was no one requesting that the home team change their school or fight song name.

Oh, by the way, weeks earlier I attended the North Little Rock-Conway football game in North Little Rock. I arrived around 6:30 and both teams had already returned to their dressing rooms. At about five minutes before kickoff both teams came on the field long after the national anthem had been played.

Oh, and my brother in California said some Little League football players were kneeling during the anthem. Sad but not surprising. Oh well. Yea for Texas.

GORDON SWAIM

North Little Rock