The Emporia Gazette

May 28, 2012

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A Lawrence firefighter will have to undergo anger management counseling after a dispute over removing another man’s hat during the national anthem.

Though he said he didn’t mean to be disrespectful, Bob Mandell didn’t take his hat off when the Free State High School Band played the national anthem.

Mandell told police that Daniel Clouse grabbed him by the neck and shook him, causing him some pain. A diversion agreement over the incident was reached in Lawrence Municipal Court last week.

Though not written on a game ticket or posted on a stadium wall, there is an accepted practice of what to do when the national anthem is played. You stop what you’re doing, remove anything that’s on your head and stand still for the song. Singing along or putting your hands over heart are optional.

This action is meant to show respect and pride in your country. Those things are great, but not everyone at the sporting event may want to convey that message. Some fans don’t live in the United States. Others may be angry at the government. Others just don’t take the song seriously. And that’s OK too.

Some of themes in the anthem, and that our country was built on, are freedom and having the ability to protest. Mandell isn’t the first nor will he be the last person to forget to remove his hat when the anthem is being played. He said it was unintentional, but even if he did it on purpose, he shouldn’t be attacked for differing from the establishment.

I sometimes usher at University of Kansas football and basketball games. We are told to suggest to people leaving the concourse heading to their seats to stop until the anthem is finished. However, if people keep going anyway, we are instructed to let them go. Most people stop. They know the drill.

At the end of the song, many KU fans have adapted the Kansas City Chiefs practice of yelling “Chiiieeefffs” as the last word of the song.

It can be argued that changing a word to the song is every bit as disrespectful as not removing a hat, yet it’s become a tradition at Arrowhead, Allen Field House and Memorial Stadium.

Every now and then there is a news story about an athlete or coach refusing to stand for the anthem. And a story flares up on occasion about a celebrity messing the words up or doing a untasteful rendition.

Some have called for the national anthem to stop being played at sporting events. While I’m not sure if we should go that far, it should be looked at as more of an optional experience.

If people want to stand up and sing, then that’s perfectly fine. If they want to leave their hat on or sit down that’s alright as well. The vast majority will still stand up and be respectful, but it shouldn’t be forced on everyone.