If you don’t stand for something, you’ll kneel for anything.

As a veteran I find it offensive that sporting events are now being used as a platform for political protest. When I stand for the national anthem, I immediately think of the men and women, past and present, who have serviced this country. I also feel unity, love and respect for this country.

There are a lot of people with differences and there are a lot of inequities in our country. No one group of people bears the burden of injustice. In spite of our differences, standing for the national anthem is one way to show unity.

The right to kneel in protest is all the more reason to stand during the national anthem. That right was bought and paid for in blood.

Respecting the nation’s flag and this country is not a political statement.

Robert Clark, Auburn