Veterans give a call to honor
Ceremony offers counterpoint to protests
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N. Y. » Local veterans and members of the community showed their patriotism Sunday in Congress Park by standing and saluting the American flag at a ceremony organized in response to the growing number of players refusing to stand for the national anthem prior to NFL games.
More than 50 people gathered at the War Memorial at 1 p. m. Sunday, kickoff time for many NFL games. Participants sang “The Star- Spangled Banner” while standing around the memorial and saluting the American flag, veterans with a hand salute and others with their hands held over their hearts.
“This is not a protest,” said organizer Eddie Nanek, a U. S. Marine veteran from Ballston Spa. “It’s not even a protest of a protest. This is just Americans coming and honoring our flag and standing up for our national anthem. That’s all it is.”
The idea for the event came to Nanek early last week, he said, and hementioned it to some fellow Marine Corps League members at a Wednesday night meeting. Primarily through word of mouth and social media, information about the ceremony spread, and dozens gathered to be there on Sunday.
“It sort of exploded,” said Nanek, whowas glad to see a strong turnout.
U. S. Army veteran Jim Coyne, commander of the Italian- American War Veterans in Saratoga Springs, helped share the word about Sunday’s event.
“I think it’s important because I think our basic education systemin the country is starting to erode, as far as citizenship and patriotism go,”
he said. “I don’t think our young people are aware of a lot of the sacrifices that have been made.
“I have no problem with professional athletes protesting, but I don’t think they’re going about it the right way.”
Shirley Duncan Pratt and her husband, Lawrence Pratt, another Marine Corps veteran and Purple Heart recipient, came to the ceremony from Hudson Falls to support their country. “There are so many of my friends from that time [ the Viernam War era] that didn’t come back,” Duncan Pratt said, and for that reason, she finds it a little annoying to see the national anthem dishonored.
“You’re dishonoring veterans when you dishonor the American anthem,” she said, “and I know from personal experience from my friends and those that didn’t come back, how much they were willing to give up and go so you could have that choice. I dislike them for not standing for the national anthem, but you know they have a right not to stand for the national anthem, and these warriors gave them that right, so show a little respect.”
Some area parents, like Joe Salisbury of Saratoga Springs, brought children to the ceremony to teach them about showing respect for the flag and the anthem.
After the ceremony, eventgoers were asked to participate in an NFL boycott planned for Sunday, Nov. 12, Veterans’ Day weekend, by engaging in other activities, rather than watching the televised games.