National anthem protest Op-ed
From 2009 to 2013 I served in the Marine Corps as an 0311 rifleman, I was stationed at Camp Pendleton with 2nd Battalion 5th Marines, Golf Co. 3rd Platoon “third the herd”, 2nd squad. In that time we deployed with the 31st MEU IN 2011 training foreign militaries in Thailand and Cambodia as well as assisting with humanitarian relief in the wake of the devastating Earthquake and Tsunami and subsequent Fukushima disaster.
The following year we deployed to Afghanistan from February of 2012 to August of 2012, where we disturbed and disrupted Taliban operations and advised and assisted the Afghan army and Afghan national police. That came in the form of various helicopter assaults, the type of thing where we fly in on Ospreys and clear and sweep enemy strongholds at the height of the summer fighting season.
It is my honor and privilege to say that part of the reason we do what we do is so that people may peacefully protest. I support those that kneel during the anthem in hopes of shedding light on the travesty that is innocent people back home being killed by those that are supposed to protect them. However, I think the time has come for the next step. What will help you stand again? What will it take for those of you taking a knee to feel it is worthy of standing again, and be proud to do so? Will this come in the form of police training reform? I understand some of you may view this as veering away from our “objective” obligations, but, I believe in starting and continuing as well as progressing the conversation and its ensuing actions we can reach an objective result for all.
I think a lot of us are taking a knee for the country as it has fallen on hard times. We are divided, which can’t be denied. But, as any one who was old enough to remember 9/11 we are always an event away from standing and uniting together again. One of the things I love most about this country is its ideals. The constitution and bill of rights, the amendments. Our willingness to self correct in the wake of errors. So I ask for those of you that feel the flag is no longer worth standing for, for those that are taking a knee for our fallen fellow citizens, comrades, or the county itself. How do we stand together again? I don’t think we need to be as radical as to demand a revolution, but how about a renovation?
