Little 7-year old Anthony Gargiula singing the National Anthem at a Siena College basketball game (Schenectady, NY).
The little kid does an amazing job — but I couldn’t help but notice the classless Siena players behind him while he was singing our country’s anthem. Not a one of them is paying attention. Not a one of them has their hand over their hearts. Not a one of them is also singing our anthem.
Then there’s the even more classless player wearing the suit — just standing there with his hands in his pockets. Who raises kids like this? Seriously…
It’s simple folks, anytime the National Ensign is raised or paraded you stand, remove your hat, and place your hand over your heart (or salute if your a veteran or in the military). If you are so inclined as to sing along with the anthem, by all means — please do. But you do not slouch, crack jokes, or stand there with your hands in your pockets like this team is doing.
This would have been a great teaching moment for Siena Head Coach Fran McCaffery. I hope the moment the anthem was over, Coach McCaffery went over to the player in the suit, and smacked him in the head.
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Hey that’s old school to actually respect the flag and America.! After all this is an unjust country with a tainted past. Sad that is how a lot of people think today. Even though this country offers you the opportunity to become rich and famous, that is not enough. Some people will never let the past go, they want to be victims and want something or someone to blame. These players are total classless jerk wads. All the people that died for this country so these scum bags can stand there like spoiled brats is disgusting to me. That is why I have given up on so much of the sports world. Just can’t take overpaid, overinflated ego, morons telling me things or entertaining me. If I want to be entertained, I get from people who respect this country and all of it’s sacrifice…..Hollywood
Products of their environments.
They don’t learn it at home, and they certainly won’t learn it in public schools, anymore.
Good job on the singing of our national anthem, by young Anthony, though. The kid wailed it, and it isn’t easy to do.
I agree that it is completely uncalled for when people do not appreciate our anthem the way that they should however this is more common than you think. When I was a kid we used to say the Pledge of Allegiance, The Texas Pledge, and the National Anthem every morning before class started. This is not practiced in school anymore so you can’t blame the parents completely when these are not taught to our children. The school system is just as much to blame here. I have a thirteen year old brother who doesn’t even know the lyrics to the National Anthem. My older brother and I do. Why? Because school rules and regulations were different when we were growing up. And it’s not just with that. There are many things that our children are not being taught today. Sure they take Algebra at a much younger age and most have college credits before they even graduate high school. But they don’t know how to use a card catalog at a library. Most don’t even go to the library anymore. They don’t read books. They read a computer screen. Their handwriting sucks cause they are asked to type everything. Most can’t even make change because they are taught to solve simple problems on a calculator. Really sad that the next generation can pass a TAKS test but have no common sense.
not one player, coach or assistant has their hand over their heart, sings the words or even seems like they are paying attention. shame on them and that school. They seem impatient and can’t wait for the song to be over. how sad.
Dear Anthony, thank you for singing our anthem!! You have a beautiful , strong voice and I think that we will hear from you many more times in the years to come! Great job!
Julie T. from California
Unfortunately, too many people don’t care. It’s people like commenter #1 who make me fear for this nations future. Respect is respect, whether a person/nation earns it or not, is something paid, owed. And frankly, as far a what the first commenter said, our country did earn the right to have us respect these traditions. Every nation has flaws, but the point is this: we live here, and it’s ten thousand times better than most of the nations of the world. And if you want the nation to be better TODAY, start by doing something as simple and relevant as respecting the flag and the anthem. The attitude of a nations people is as important as it’s army and its legislators. People died for this the be “the land of the free.” Sometimes, or rather, far too often, the majority forgets that it’s not free and it can be taken from us. Respect the nation. (in case anyone who reads t his is wondering, yes, i’m ticked) .
To bad he did not get any respect from those in attendance.
These jerks walked, talked, some were sitting down, not one stood tall with their hand over their heart.
And the singer, well he did a great job with a song that gives most professional singers a very hard time
I give the young man a 10+
And the audience a -1 shame on all of them
I agree that I was shocked by nobody with their hands over thier hearts but one of the players–just to the left–was choked up and crying… watch it a few times and you will see it. thanks Jeff
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