A color guard can present the colors without the National Anthem being performed. Boy Scouts do it every week in their regular meetings. The National Anthem can be performed without a color guard—schools do it every day. But there is no substitution for the National Anthem. We don’t present the colors to God Bless America or Lift Every Voice and Sing (The Negro National Anthem). These are wonderful patriotic songs, but they are not accorded the same honor as The Star-Spangled Banner.

Q. I was curious WHEN the Anthem is required to be played?

A. No where in the U.S. Code are Americans told where and when the National Anthem should be played. That is a decision left to citizens, not the government. Here is a link to the entire statute as it is written, along with other information you will want to read (it’s not long).

Of special interest, it is worth noting that the law regarding the National Anthem is not found in the same section of the U.S. Code where the laws about the flag are found (or what we commonly call the U.S. Flag Code). Because of this, many people grew up not knowing that we are supposed to salute during the National Anthem also—with a “heart” salute or a military salute, because all they knew or were taught about was from the Flag Code. I am including below, all that is written in the U.S. Code about the National Anthem.

Sec. 301. National anthem

-STATUTE-
(a) Designation. – The composition consisting of the words and
music known as the Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem.
(b) Conduct During Playing. – During a rendition of the national
anthem –
(1) when the flag is displayed –
(A) all present except those in uniform should stand at
attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart;
(B) men not in uniform should remove their headdress with
their right hand and hold the headdress at the left shoulder,
the hand being over the heart; and
(C) individuals in uniform should give the military salute at
the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until
the last note; and

(2) when the flag is not displayed, all present should face
toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the
flag were displayed.

As you note, we traditionally play the National Anthem at the gathering of large groups: sporting events, graduations, concerts, school assemblies, et cetera. As a school girl, we recited the Pledge each day in our classrooms, but saved the National Anthem for whole school gatherings and school games, when there was a pianist or band to play the music while we sang. I remember very few occasions when we sang it a cappella.

I went to the website you linked to, and my sentiments are very much like those of the author and the commenters. It’s not that I dislike a soloist, but I sincerely believe that the National Anthem—our beloved Star-Spangled Banner—was never intended to be sung by a soloist. It is OUR anthem, and I believe we should sing it all together.

Those who can reach the high notes will be held aloft by those who can sing the low notes. Someone who stumbles over the lyrics will be carried along by the person standing along side. This is what Americans do. I think the Star-Spangled Banner is much more beautiful and stirring when we all sing together, and my fondest hope is that someday—at a large gathering of national significance (the Super Bowl for starters) someone will stand before those assembled and say, “Ladies and Gentlemen, would you all rise and join me in singing the National Anthem.” And then LEAD everyone there in singing the anthem. Now wouldn’t that be something!

And I don’t mean to criticize soloists, but when the “performance” is all about the performer, not the National Anthem, I lose patience. If we sing it together, we will sing it like it was written, and each time we will be refreshed and reminded again that we are Americans. (rant over

Here are a few more articles I wrote on this same topic.
Protocol questions—Parades, the Pledge, and the National Anthem

The National Anthem—Style over Substance

And last but not least, because you mentioned that you are a veteran, you might be interested in this topic on veterans saluting, which has been the most popular article ever posted on The Daily Flag.

As always, the comments are much more interesting than what I wrote.

Thank you for writing crabber1967, and best wishes—Deborah Hendrick

I am looking forward to your reply that will clear up WHEN the playing of the Anthem is required. Thanks.

Thank you for tracking down answers!

However, in most cases, we do not recite the Pledge and sing the National Anthem at the same time. Traditionally, the Pledge is recited on occasions when singing the National Anthem would be difficult. So every morning in classrooms all across the nation, school children stand, salute and say the Pledge of Allegiance, because singing the National Anthem would be more complicated. But when all the children are assembled in the gym or auditorium for a special event, they will sing the National Anthem, but not recite the Pledge.

It seems to me that the Pledge is saved for small-scale events (club meeting, classroom, etc.) and the National Anthem is performed in a larger venue such as an auditorium, gymnasium or stadium. Just my observation however. It is certainly ok to do both.

If the goal of watching (or listening) to the broadcast is to include the audience in the event, then I personally think those gathered—no matter how distant—should stand and salute. If there is a flag physically present where those watching are gathered, then they should salute the flag.

Otherwise, watch the screen and salute as those on the screen salute. It’s a small gesture, but an important one I think. Just my opinion though.