I would like to tell a short story from this weekend and maybe you can tell if this happened to you yet. While in Chicago for the graduation I took my son to a Cubs game. As we have all heard thousands of times the announcer asked for us to rise for the National Anthem. As my middle age body started to stand I started to look for the American flag as I have never been to Wrigley field. Before my back even straitened up my son was at attention holding a salute to the flag. I actually found the flag by looking in the direction of his salute. I have to say I had one eye on the flag and one eye on my son. Not a muscle moved, not a blink of an eye. As at most sporting events when the last verse starts the crowd starts to clap and cheer. Becoming louder and louder. He held that perfect salute until the Anthem ended and did not relaese until about 3 seconds until after it was over. It did not matter that 42,000 other people were clapping, cheering, whistling and high fives. Don't get me wrong, it is nice to see excited people. But for the first time I think it changed from the "song" you sing before you play ball to our "National Anthem" that gets the same respect and pride as the flag and country.
PS- My Dad was stationed at Fort Schuyler from 1958 until 1963 when he retired after 20 years of Navy service.
May your son have a long and healthy maritime career.
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