From: Bryan Barwick
Columbus
I’m a patriotic, retired veteran. I believe the national anthem is an honor to our nation, for all the fallen heroes that have died for our freedom, and our veterans.
There are a lot of us that are offended by people kneeling during the national anthem.
Kneeling is a political statement that has no place in high school sports. I believe most young athletes feel good during the national anthem, so how did it feel when Columbus East’s boys soccer coach was out front kneeling? Why did this coach feel the need to make a political statement in front of the students — especially during the unstable times we are living in?
Perhaps it was because there was a news reporter, so he decided to make a political statement for the entire community to see an obvious way to get attention.
He should show support for the movement he believes in, but not at school or in sports. Teachers and coaches need to teach the curriculum and avoid politics and personal beliefs. There is a law in Indiana that requires teaching about respect for the flag. They have ethics that they need to abide by. If they refuse to, they should move on to something else.
