Comments on: National Anthem

By: Deborah Hendrick

Deborah Hendrick — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 22:53:15 +0000

Hi Keith, thank you for writing.

To my knowledge, there is no wording in the flag code, or anywhere in the U.S. Code that would prohibit applause AFTER the playing of the National Anthem. It is however, very poor etiquette and a breach of protocol to begin clapping and cheering BEFORE the song is over, but that seems to be the standard these days in large public venues.

Bradford Campeau-Laurion, of Astoria, Queens sued the City of New York, which will now pay $10,001 to settle a federal lawsuit on his behalf when he was ejected from the old Yankee Stadium last August after trying to use the bathroom during the playing of “God Bless America.” In addition, the team has publicly declared that it has no policy prohibiting fans from moving about during the playing of the patriotic song, which the team began playing during games after 9/11.

While I appreciate Yankees management’s desire to foster an enthusiastic and patriotic spirit at the ball park, somewhere along the way their desire trampled an individual’s rights. What a daft idea this was, to forcibly require patrons to remain in their seats during “God Bless America.”

By: Keith Droz

Keith Droz — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 18:03:03 +0000

I read somewhere that it is not considered proper protocol to applaud after the playing of the National Anthem. Is that true?????

Also there is a court case that was settled in NYC with a man who was ejected from a baseball game because he went to the bathroom during the 7th inning stretch (which includes the playing of “God Bless America”. Supposedly the stadium has a strict policy on people not leaving their seats during the playing of God Bless America. Was the stadium right for ejecting the patron???? I have my own opinion on that. And that’s what makes this country great….I can have my own opinion.

By: Deborah Hendrick

Deborah Hendrick — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:38:42 +0000

Hi Duncan,
I could use a little more information but will try to extrapolate and answer your question. As long as the clan tartan flag is not flying higher than the U.S. flag, or to the right of the U.S. flag, you don’t have to do anything with it during the National Anthem. All present should render a heart salute, or a hand salute (as permitted) during the National Anthem.

When trooping past the American flag, the clan colors should be dipped when they pass by the American flag.

By: S. Duncan

S. Duncan — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:03:45 +0000

At an event such as a Highland Games what is the protocol for flags like a clan tartan flag during the Star-Spangled Banner? Should they be lowered? Also when trooping past the American flag?

By: Deborah Hendrick

Deborah Hendrick — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 04:01:57 +0000

Hello JT—There is nothing written in the U.S. Code that says what the order should be. By tradition, the Pledge is generally recited first (if for example, a color guard is holding the flags, and then they are posted), and then the National Anthem is sung. Thank you for writing.

By: JT

JT — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 03:36:15 +0000

What is the proper order of Singing the National Anthem and saying the Pledge of Allegience?

By: National Anthem. Hats on or off? - Page 7 - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Sat, 18 Oct 2008 05:49:11 +0000

[...] Posted by RobbSmith National Anthem Designation.�The composition consisting of the words and music known as the Star-Spangled Banner [...]

By: National Anthem. Hats on or off? - Page 4 - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:56:38 +0000

[...] National Anthem Designation.–The composition consisting of the words and music known as the Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem. [...]

By: Deborah Hendrick

Deborah Hendrick — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 20:23:25 +0000

As a courtesy in the United States, the national anthems of other countries are always played before the American national anthem. In the scenario you describe, the Canadian national anthem would be played first, then the Star-Spangled Banner would be played as the host nation (and host stadium) regardless of what country’s teams were playing. Unless there were a long gap (several hours at least) between the first game and the second game, with a mass exodus of first-game spectators being replaced with fresh second-game spectators, I don’t know of any reason why the Star-Spangled Banner would need to be played a second time.

However, professional league games might have a protocol that would have the National Anthem played for each and every game.

By: B. Reed

B. Reed — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:47:49 +0000

In a US sports stadium, if the first game is between 2 Canadian teams, the second game is between 2 American teams and both flags are displayed, do you play the Canadian national anthem before the first game and the US national anthem before the sceond? Or do you play both anthems before the first game and the US anthem only before the second?