One minute, 28 seconds for a veteran

  • Published
  • By Arlan Ponder
  • 49th Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  As we honor our Nation's faithful this Veterans Day with ceremonies, programs and parades, I ask you to pay special attention during the playing of the National Anthem. The one minute and 28 second song isn't just a rite you do before a sporting event or at the end of the day. It is an anthem of sacrifice and service that has inspired men and women for over 200 years.

Originally written as a poem in 1814 by Francis Scott Key, the song was later set to a British tune called The Anacreontic Song, and, in 1931, Congress officially declared it the National Anthem.

Several years ago on Veterans Day, I attended a school program filled with pride and honor, as well as reverence for American veterans. Though I am a veteran, I didn't sit with my fellow brethren from Desert Storm, Vietnam, Korea and World War II. Instead I chose to sit with several friends in the stands amongst the next generation of Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines.

When the time came for the playing of "The Star-Spangled Banner," which takes one minute and 28 seconds, I stood with the rest of the crowd and watched as some of the adults removed their hats and placed their hands over their hearts. I also observed a majority of the students follow suit. However, sadly, there were a few adults and students who failed to place their hands over their hearts or remove their hats. There were also numerous students who could barely stand still, while a few proceeded to clap their hands with each cymbal crash.

Having been raised in a family filled with military heritage -- my paternal grandfather was a World War I veteran and my maternal grandfather, who raised me, was a World War II veteran -- I was taught at a young age what is expected during that one minute and 28 seconds.

However, according to a Harris poll, 61 percent of Americans are unable to recall all of the words to "The Star-Spangled Banner," and I'm sure not many students are taught what the United States Code (Title 36, Ch. 10‎) says about proper etiquette during the playing of the national anthem.

According to the Code, during the national anthem, when the flag is displayed and persons are not in uniform, they should stand at attention facing the flag with their right hand over their heart. Men not in uniform should remove their hats and place them over their heart. When the flag is not displayed, all present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed.

The Air Force Professional Development Guide states all personnel in uniform and outdoors upon the first note of the national anthem should face the flag, or the sound of the music, and salute. They should hold the salute until the last note of the music is played. Members in formation will salute upon command of the person in charge.
In October 2008, the law was changed to allow veterans and active duty military not in uniform to render the military-style hand salute during the playing of the national anthem and during the raising, lowering or passing of the flag.

The salute, whether it be a military-style or the hand over the heart, is considered a unique gesture of respect that marks those who have served in our nation's armed forces, but more importantly to me, it acknowledges the sacrifices made by Americans to ensure that we maintain our freedom.

I recently read an article about the sacrifices made by American families during our wars or conflicts. Of the 10 most famous wars and conflicts -- revolutionary to our current operations in Afghanistan and Iraq -- over 2.1 million Americans have made the ultimate sacrifice in combat. This doesn't count the number wounded who died at a later date, nor does this count the smaller "wars" or "conflicts" in which the United States has taken part.

I realize some people consider the whole process a bunch of silly symbolism derived from previous years when times were simpler and the world was much smaller. Fortunately, we live in a free country where people who fail to show patriotism are not routed to the nearest re-education camp or sent to the Gulag. However, I believe every American should take the one minute and 28 seconds to stand and pay their respect to those who came before us.

We veterans do stop and render our respect. We know for that short amount of time the National Anthem is playing there are Airmen, soldiers, sailors and Marines in places where some Americans can't even pronounce the name. These men and women are hoping they will have the opportunity to one day stand in a Veterans Day program and render a salute for a mere one minute and 28 seconds.