I was surfing the net today, bored, stuck in my hotel room, because I’m sick and tired of the mask police in Vegas. I reached my limit when told by security I had to put my mask on between sips of my coffee. Looking across the casino at all the people with their hands on contaminated slot machines, it was just to hypocritical for me to tolerate. So, I retreated to my room where I came across an article by Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, it contained this quote:

“The league, which as highlighted by the recent comments of Commissioner Roger Goodell to Emmanuel Acho clearly supports player protests and understands that kneeling during the anthem does not constitute disrespectof the military, the flag, or the country, continues to let Jones clumsily stumble through the anthem minefield in search of “grace.””

First, since you are not in the military and are not a Veteran (according to your bio) YOU and the NFL do not get to dictate to those of us who have gone into, or are in harms way, what is or isn’t disrespectful to the military.

Second, let me make it crystal clear, as a retired Naval Aviator, I do think it constitutes disrespect of the military, the flag and the country. And all the veterans I know agree, but I will speak only for myself.

I think it epitomizes disrespect, especially to the fallen men and women I served with. I lost four Squadron-mates in a single night on my first cruise, all four wore the American Flag on their flight suit as they perished. My Uncle and his crew all wore that flag when they also made the ultimate sacrifice. I have seen too many of America’s finest, die in service to this country, while wearing the flag. Thus, I absolutely think that kneeling in front of the American Flag and during the national anthem is a willful act of disrespect to those that have fallen. Their quite simply is no other way to take it.

YOU don’t and never will understand that, you can’t possibly, because you have not: “been there, done that.” I understand that, what I don’t understand is your presumption to speak with authority on what we consider disrespectful. Do NOT presume to speak for me, or any other man or woman who has ever worn a uniform.

At the risk of repeating myself, I will emphatically re-state I find it disrespectful and abhorrent. I find it insulting to the fallen and their families, and so do most Veterans!

Take a note and pass it on to the NBA, NFL, MLB and the NHL, especially after the NBA supported the crushing of freedom in Hong Kong by the Communist Chinese, write it down. Most of your fans consider it a spit in our face, when millionaires, backed by billionaires, lecture us on how bad America is. We’d prefer you all just go to China.

All sports are hanging by a thread as current ratings show. We are shut in, a captive audience and nobody is watching, nobody cares. We tune in sports to get away from politics not get it shoved down our throat. You have already lost me, and obviously many others.

On a personal note; heed the memo, or you will have to go back to work as a lawyer.

We have had enough!

Leland C Shanle Jr. LCDR USN(Ret)

*Flag, on shoulder.