Why this veteran thinks America needs to take a knee

It seems the growing trend in the NFL is for players to take a knee during the national anthem. San Francisco 49er quarterback Colin Kaepernick started the movement last month. Seattle Seahawk Doug Baldwin followed suit in his team’s final preseason game and the Denver Broncos’ Brandon Marshall joined the trend in Thursday night’s season opener. I’m fairly certain we will see more of this around the league in the coming weeks. The issue has led me to do some soul-searching and really think about this form of protest and try to better understand why.

{mosads}As a red-blooded, patriotic American, my first reaction was the same as many others: How can these men disrespect everything this nation stands for? I have friends who came home in a flag-draped coffin, having gave their last full measure of devotion for the very ideals the flag and the anthem represent. I took this as a blatant form of disrespect for the nation that has given so much to so many, as well as the men and women who defend it.

But as I began to listen to the reasoning behind their actions and learned the purpose behind it, I began to remember why I served in the first place. Clearly it was not for the pay or accolades, but to be a part of something greater than myself; to stand up for those who could not stand up for themselves and to defend the nation that I so dearly love. I took an oath at 18 years of age to defend the Constitution of the United States — not the parts that fit into my worldview, but all of it, including the First Amendment and the freedom of speech.

As a former active-duty Marine, I began to think again about those friends who did not come back home. I spoke to my brothers and sisters in uniform about their thoughts, and a vast majority of them felt the same way as I had come to feel. Why did we decide to wear the cloth of the nation and go to foreign lands? To ensure the foundation laid by the Founding Fathers 241 years ago continues to prosper; to ensure that our citizens have the right to “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Freedom of speech is a vital part of our society and is one of the many things that make this country exceptional.

Now, you may agree or disagree with the reason behind the protest, and the movement that the players support. That is a topic for each of us to work through individually. One thing none of us can deny is that race issues are still prevalent in our beloved land and a topic that must be addressed across our nation and in our local communities. We as a society must come together with open hearts and open minds if we are to make any progress.

At the end of the day, these men have the unique opportunity to play a game for a living, and get paid very well for it. At their core, they are entertainers and celebrities, which gives them a platform, good or bad, to put a spotlight on issues facing us today. They have expressed that they are not doing this because they are anti-American, or because they hate the national ensign, or that they are against the men and women who serve. Their purpose is to gain attention for an issue that faces us all and we must address.

We, as Americans, have much bigger issues before us in this day and age than if a football player is sitting, or taking a knee, during the national anthem. They are exercising their right to freedom of speech and bringing societal issues to the forefront. That is exactly why I served, and why I continue to stand behind those who serve today.

Sosamon is executive director of Honor Courage Commitment, Inc. To learn more about 22KILL and Honor Courage Commitment, please visit 22kill.com and honorcouragecommitment.org.

The views expressed by contributors are their own and not the views of The Hill.