Recently during the National Football League preseason games Colin Rand Kaepernick  the current quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, sat during the national anthem. Usually during the national anthem people stand to show pride and respect of the country. This situation has happened multiple times.

“I will continue to do this until I feel as if America has justice.” Kaepernick said

He should stand regardless of the conflict in America; considering all the firefighters, police officers, soldiers and everyone else  who risk their lives every day for freedom.

“Everyone has their right to express how they feel, I would stand to show respect for those who have fought for our country,” Junior Jozare Prescott

“He has his own opinion and I respect that, “ said JV player Kyle Romaine.

“ I think its justified that he sits during the national anthem,”  WSHS Assistant football Coach Brandon Joseph

If anything, Kaepernick should stand and respect the fact that he is living in a free country. Considering the recent events that are happening in America he feels as if he is doing the right thing. Kaepernick is not doing justice for this country by disrespecting all the veterans by sitting during the national anthem.

America used to be a safer country than what it is now. There have been so many shootings, not to mention the Orlando “Pulse” attack as well as in, San Bernardino, Sandy Hook Elementary, Planned Parenthood Clinic in Colorado Springs, Colorado and many more. That doesn’t mean that disrespect should be tolerated to the people who have fought for all the rights that Americans have.

The time served by those people doesn’t get disregarded due to the fact of negativity from terrorists or people with a mental illness. The national anthem needs to be given the respect that it stands for. When you hear the “Star Spangled Banner” you are showing loyalty as an American. Sitting down during this process is basically saying one does not care to respect or be in this country.

America is the land of opportunity and the least that everyone can do is stand and show respect. The anthem is an expression of national identity, unity, and pride. Being a U.S citizen is something you are born with but being an American is a choice. If one chooses to be a part of the nation they need to have the dignity to have respect for the entire country. That includes standing for the National Anthem, saying the pledge and having pride in the country in which they live.

Overall the national anthem is a representation of “the land of the free” and everyone in this country should have pride and respect for all the freedom we are giving by those who have served and are serving.