Land of the free and home of the brave.

In recent news, we have all seen athletes kneeling in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick. It ranges from high school athletes to NFL players. I'm not here to judge why they kneel during the national anthem.

Kaepernick has his reasons, as discussed on the NFL network he says, "I'm going to continue to stand with the people that are being oppressed. And by standing with them I will kneel." We do have a problem of racial inequality in the United States. I commend him for standing up for what he believes in and I think more people should stand up for what they believe in. But there is no doubt in my mind that everyone should stand up for the National Anthem.

With that being said, what the National Anthem means to me is freedom, but on a much larger scale. It recognizes the men and women who have fought and continue to fight for Kaepernick to be able to sit. Many of men and women, of all colors, paid the ultimate price for Colin Kaepernick and his followers to be able to sit and fight for their freedom from oppression.

So every time I hear the National Anthem, I think of my brother because he is much braver than Colin Kaepernick ever will be. My brother protects the very freedom that Colin Kaepernick is able to express. Who is the real hero here?

I like to see when everyone stands with their hands over their hearts in support of those we have lost and those who continue to put their lives on the line. With the recent 9/11 anniversary we should all understand what the military does to protect us. But, it appalled me that on 9/11/16 we had professionals kneeling behind those in uniform. The ones in uniform are our heroes and they always will be. So next time you hear the National Anthem I hope you really consider what it means to you and everyone who fights for you.