Flag, anthem deserve respect from athletes

Regarding the Jan. 28 letter from Maureen Kern, titled “Judge girl athletes on their play, not anthem”:

The gentleman you refer to who wrote concerning girl athletes swinging their arms while the national anthem is played is 100 percent on target. Regardless if the swinging has a special meaning, the American flag and our national anthem have a much higher meaning and much more of a logical reason behind it.

Ask veterans what the flag and national anthem means to them. Ask the veterans who were combat wounded. I am one.

That the girls were dedicated to their team, obeyed team rules and respected their coaches and teammates, learned discipline and how to win and lose is great, but does not enter into this particular equation. Show dedication, respect, discipline in all forms, including that for the flag and our national anthem.

David Schiel

USMC retired

Cedar Rapids