PAX Centurion - Winter 2016 - 2017

www.bppa.org PAX CENTURION • Winter 2016-2017 • Page 21 For God, Country and Flag By Mark A. Bruno W hen does the madness end? The most recent wave of protestors are now invading our sacrosanct sport of football. Taking a knee or sitting during the national anthem is a statement I find to be disgraceful, a slap in the face to everyAmerican that has ever served in the military. This has-been, puke, on-the-way-out from the San Francisco 49ers has a lot to learn. Kneeling, sitting, or holding your fist in the air during the national anthem is appalling to many Americans of all races. You might as well burn Old Glory if your hatred of this free democratic society is that bad. I guess fanning the flames of racism and dividing this country has become the primary mission for this group. I don’t see any of these protesting players donating to their communities or marching in any of the protest rallies. I call them bandwagon cheerleaders. Where were all of you the past two or three years? Right, I get it. Now that most of your careers are on the decline, you want to stick out in the crowd. Well, congratulations. Behind Isis, you may be the most hated individuals for the disrespect you have shown this country, and the bad example you have set for our young citizens. This has-been quarterback didn’t even vote in the Presidential election! At least have the courage and intestinal fortitude to voice your opinion by voting! You won’t find any Pat Tillmans in this sorry lot either. This player passed on a million dollar contract to go fight the war on terrorism and died in the line of duty. There will be no foundations named in honor of any of these protesting players like Pat. You will all be remembered as the gutless cowards who tried to tear the fabric of our nation apart. I find Commissioner Roger Goodell to also be a lightweight on this matter. He talks about the integrity of the game being tarnished when it comes to under-pressured footballs, but kneeling, sitting, and holding your fist in the air during the National Anthem doesn’t?! What a hypocrite! At least have the cameramen zoom in on the Military Honor Guard, and players and fans who respect the national anthem. NHL Coach John Tortorella said, “If any of my players sit on the bench for the national anthem, they will sit there the rest of the game.” Soccer team owner, Billy Lynch of the Washington Spirit, had the national anthem played prior to the teams taking the field so one of the players of the opposing team could not take a knee while it was played. He stated, “To willingly allow anyone to hijack this tradition that means so much to millions of Americans and so many of our own fans for any cause would effectively be just as disrespectful as doing it ourselves.” Goodell should take a lesson from this and not be such a pansy! Wearing socks with little pigs in police hats is not going to serve any good purpose. There are many minority celebrities, sports athletes, and government leaders that are totally against this type of protest. This type of statement only tears our country apart. It is absolutely insulting to those men and women who are serving in the military to protect our rights. If this country is that bad, then these individuals should move out. We have many police officers in our ranks of all races who’ve served in the military and find this type of statement to be very offensive. You may attack our profession, as is your right, but please, find another way to protest. My own Father fought in WWII to protect this country from such miscreants like these. To him, God, Country, and Flag meant something! SALES INSTALLATIONS SERVICE Inc. EST. 1986 1977 Centre Street West Roxbury, MA 02132 617-327-2600 LOCKSMITH HOUSE CALLS BONDED The BPPA thanks City Lock for their support over the years!