Being such an enormous controversy in our country today, I would like to put in my two cents since everyone else seems to like to do so as well. I grew up in a conservative household.

I grew up in a family with many retired military personnel, who resonate with what it really means to be a hero. More importantly, I grew up in a household and country that allowed me to make my own decisions when it came to what I believe in.

To those who it may concern, I respect the fact that you are exercising your right to take a knee. I will never know what it is like to be an African American. I will never understand the long line of struggles in the past and of today that have occurred and are occurring, but I do know what it means to be an American.

The next time you take a knee, remember this:

Remember the 117,000 American lives lost in World War I – trenches filled with disease and hundreds upon hundreds of empty shells continually piling up as the machine gun ejects them to the side. Bullets from enemy lines flying above your head.

Remember the 405,400 American lives lost in World War II, specifically where young soldiers barreled out of boats onto the beaches of Normandy. Blood being shed the instant the ramps dropped into the sand. Waves washing up under the bodies of the men who bled from the bullet holes, taking in their last breaths.

Remember the 58,209 Americans who had to fight in the heavy, thick jungle of Vietnam wondering why the war was being even being fought in the first place. Being drafted into a war, many some without choice, and never to return home.

Remember the 39,471 homeless vets, men, and women that chose to protect your rights and freedom, who are currently sleeping on sidewalks holding up cardboard signs, praying for a ration of food and comfort.

Remember the thousands of lives lost in battles and wars not mentioned so they are never forgotten.

Remember the soldiers of today, who are overseas away from their families wishing that they could be at home watching the football game, cheering on their home team.

The flag and national anthem are representations of what it means to be an American, creating unity, not division. When you choose to start a protest and start controversy it is disrespectful. The time during the national anthem is to take a few minutes out of our lives, to stand, take off our hats, and watch the red, white, and blue wave.

This little protest is just another small bump in the road compared to the difficulty the flag and United States have taken on before. After this “Take A Knee” movement is out of the headlines and not on our television screens or plastered on the front of newspapers, the American flag will still be there.

Yeah, take a knee. By all means, bring attention to issues that need to be presented to society, emphasize the importance of a cause in order to get your point across, but don’t choose to do so during a time when we all stand together for the one thing that makes us so incredibly unique and unified as a country.