On May 13, 2000, I attended the commencement services at Glendale
Community College. It was a lovely ceremony and I was very impressed with
the program as a whole.
However, a major blight occurred during the program that horrified me.
After the Pledge of Allegiance, the College Choir performed a beautiful
arrangement of the "Star Spangled Banner." To my dismay, I was suddenly
aware that only a small portion of the audience was standing, and that
the VIPs on the podium had remained seated and were chatting among
themselves. The members of the graduating class also remained seated.
Did the practice of standing to show respect for our national anthem
disappear when I wasn't looking? Is our patriotism in danger of dying?
Can we expect the younger generation to love and respect the country
which symbolizes freedom to the entire world when we don't set a proper
example? What does the future hold? I wonder!!
ELEANOR GUSTAVSON
Glendale
