God Bless America

[Fox Mike]

Seems that each night at the local, Oriole affiliate Aberdeen Ironbirds, baseball game that during the seventh inning stretch "God Bless America" is played. The announcer asks that all stand and remove their hats. Personally I rebel. I stand and remove my hat for the "National Anthem" and that is all I will. Though it is a very nice song it, as far as I am concerned, is no different than playing "Take me out to the ballgame" or "An Okie from Muskogee". It is just another song. Your thoughts.

 

[Colonialgirl]

I agree with you Fox Mike.

They Could Play Dixie; I would stand and take my hat off for THAT>

 

[DGW1949]

I was raised Southern Baptist. Back in them days, 'God Bless America' was in the hymnal's we used. 'Take Me Out To The Ball Game' was not, nor was any other secular song....

See the difference?

DGW

 

[gramps]

I think “God Bless America” requires one to show respect. My father a WWll vet had us cover our hearts with our hands during it.
gramps

 

[Fox Mike]

I think “God Bless America” requires one to show respect. My father a WWll vet had us cover our hearts with our hands during it.
gramps

Well if that is the case why do we have to show the same respect to our National Anthem? I just feel that we show respect by being silent would be OK, but to show the SAME respect for that as the NA I feel is a bit 'overboard'. Why not the same for God Bless the USA, or Ballad for the Green Berets? Our National Anthem was written while the US was under attack by the British. God Bless America was written for a 'revue' by Irving Berlin and was actually set aside because it didn't 'fit'.

 

[gramps]

Argue with my father, and the way he raised me!
gramps

 

[Bob Wright]

"God Bless America" and part of the "Star Spangled Banner" were both written as prayers. And during World War II we stood when Kate Smith sang "God Bless America." Since they are truly prayers, I think they should be afforded the same respect.

And, I think of this line from "American The Beautiful" whenever I think of 9/11/2001:

....Thine alabaster cities gleam, undimmed by human tears.............

Kinda makes a tight place in my throat. Guess I'm just an old softie.........


Bob Wright

 

[Bob Wright]

Seems that each night at the local, Oriole affiliate Aberdeen Ironbirds, baseball game that during the seventh inning stretch "God Bless America" is played. The announcer asks that all stand and remove their hats. Personally I rebel. I stand and remove my hat for the "National Anthem" and that is all I will. Though it is a very nice song it, as far as I am concerned, is no different than playing "Take me out to the ballgame" or "An Okie from Muskogee". It is just another song. Your thoughts.

Come to think of it, it is customary for the audience to stand during the Halleujah Chorus from Handel's The Messiah.

Some things just seem to demand respect.

Bob Wright

 

[Fox Mike]

Seems that each night at the local, Oriole affiliate Aberdeen Ironbirds, baseball game that during the seventh inning stretch "God Bless America" is played. The announcer asks that all stand and remove their hats. Personally I rebel. I stand and remove my hat for the "National Anthem" and that is all I will. Though it is a very nice song it, as far as I am concerned, is no different than playing "Take me out to the ballgame" or "An Okie from Muskogee". It is just another song. Your thoughts.

Come to think of it, it is customary for the audience to stand during the Halleujah Chorus from Handel's The Messiah.

Some things just seem to demand respect.

Bob Wright

I'm not against standing. I am, however, again't removing my hat and placing my hand over my heart for anything except the National Anthem. I stand and remove my hat when outdoors for any prayer but do not place my hand over my heart for any prayers, nor have I ever seen anyone else do so.

 

[Jeepnik]

Personally, I stand. Also for any military hymn & retreat. Old habits.

 

[nvbirdman]

I don't watch football anymore.
If an NFL team kneeled for God Bless America, I would be upset but I would still watch football.

 

[Pat-inCO]

It is just another song. Your thoughts.

Sounds like you are looking for something to complain about.

 

[Fox Mike]

It is just another song. Your thoughts.

Sounds like you are looking for something to complain about.

Asking for others thoughts on the subject. I received some and appreciate the various thoughts expressed. While I don't agree with all I do respect the ability of us to agree to disagree. It seems obvious that you have no thoughts on the subject or you would have so stated them.

 

[hittman]

I don't wear hats.

If I did .... I'd see no problem in standing, removing the hat, hand over heart etc.

You should do what you can live with.

 

[eveled]

What irks me is the ladies who think they are exempt from removing their hats. They are only exempt when wearing fashion hats. The kind that need to be clipped on. They are more or less a hair piece.

If a girl is wearing a ball cap or cowboy hat she's supposed to take it off same as men.

I can't argue with the OP, you don't have to remove your hat if you don't want to. But it is a show of respect.

 

[toysoldier]

In this time of lowered expectations, I would be pleased to have the audience respectably silent (and no phones calling) while the song is played.

 

[Rick Courtright]

I was raised Southern Baptist. Back in them days, 'God Bless America' was in the hymnal's we used.

Hi,

And I'll bet everyone stood, and the men had already removed their hats when they entered the church, before singing it, too!

Personally, I think a quick observation of how people act tells a lot about how they were raised and their level of respect, and I don't think it'll hurt anyone to get off their bum and take off their da(r)ned hat for "God Bless America." You don't have to place it over your heart if you don't care to. I worry much more that an announcer actually HAS to ask the crowd to "Please stand AND REMOVE YOUR HATS for our National Anthem." Of course, there's another simple request: "Please stand and remove your hats for our National Anthem, and remain standing for the singing of 'God Bless America'." I doubt too many would put their hats back on in between the two. Would that put a twist in anyone's knickers?

Stand for "Dixie"? I don't spend much time anywhere I'd be likely to hear it, but if I did, and others stood, so would I. Out of respect for anyone living or any ideal associated with the song? No. Out of respect for the 10s of 1000s who died fighting for what they believed was right, regardless of whether I believe they were or weren't, absolutely!

Rick C

 

[exavid]

The "Star Spangled Banner" is special. To me the song, "God Bless America" just doesn't have the same meaning. This country was born in battle.