After reading in The Era concerning two basketball cheerleaders not standing for our National Anthem, I feel a civil response is necessary to the comments by Dr. Livingston Alexander and Marty Robacker Wilder in The Era.

I, too, believe in protest as part of our freedom of speech and the freedom of the press as guaranteed by the FIrst Amendment of our Constitution. But I am one who believes in decorum and respect for our flag and National Anthem.

These two things stand along with our Constitution as symbols of our freedoms that were established by those that have come before us. The price of the freedoms came and is still coming at a very high price and it will continue to be if we as a country want them to continue.

Many have freely given their lives and many are still suffering both mentally and physically from playing their part on the protesters behalf with little or no thanks.

I would like to know if any of these protesters have ever been in the U.S. military, or members of their family or possibly their friends. Have they ever been to any foreign countries, especially “Third World” ones and experienced how these people live?

As far as I am concerned, the protesters against the American flag and the Star Spangled Banner are stomping on the graves of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their right to protest.

There is a time and place to peacefully protest, but protesting the American flag and our National Anthem are not it.

I am always willing to openly discuss my views with anyone who may wish to do so.

Thank you members of the U.S. military that went before me and have served since then and those who continue to serve. God bless.

Wade E. Confer

Bradford