"Please rise for the singing of the National Anthem."

If you're like me, you grew up hearing these words. When you heard these words, you rose to your feet, removed your hat if you had one, and placed your right hand over your heart. Recently, this practice has come under extreme scrutiny in our nation. The movement, as they call it, seems to have originated from San Francisco 49er's quarterback Colin Kaepernick

So should you rise when the National Anthem and the American flag are being presented? That seems to be the million dollar question.

I've read several articles pertaining to this controversial issue. One side states that men have died for our freedom. Therefore, you should rise and show respect. Other ends have stated that it is within your rights not to rise. Where should you stand? And no, that pun was not intended.

I would call myself a very patriotic person. But instead of basing my writings on full opinion, I decided to put myself on both ends of the perspective in order to fully understand the controversy that is being presented in our nation.

While doing some research, I came across The United States Code: Patriotic Customs. In that, the code explains in extensive detail what the proper etiquette for the United States flag entails. The code states under the section titled "National Anthem; Star Spanged Banner, Conduct During Playing" the following;

"During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart."

The section then goes on to discuss how military personnel should conduct themselves during the presentation of the flag and The National Anthem. The main point of this code is that it is required to stand at attention facing the flag with their hand over their heart. The code then goes on to say that when the flag is NOT presented, proper etiquette is;

"Those present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed there."

Of course, it can be argued that instead of saying that it is required to stand even the flag is not displayed, the code says that you should stand at attention instead. But the fact of the matter is that in addition to saying it is required to stand during the presentation of the flag and the anthem, they offer the way you should act when there is no flag to stand and face.

So what about having a constitutional "right" not to stand for the presentation of the National Anthem or the flag? Well, that is certainly within your own mind to make that decision. But keep in mind that it is still required to stand, so if you chose that you do not want to for your own reasons, you have that right. Would I go as far to say that it is disrespectful towards the code that was written for our country, in addition to being disrespectful towards those who have stood tall to fight for your freedom

So do I think you should stand when the national anthem and our country's flag is being presented? Absolutely. Is it within your rights to refuse to stand? Absolutely.