Most of my early school days began with the playing of the National Anthem. When the music began, we were required to stand facing an American flag which hung near the blackboard. Our right hands were to be over our hearts. When the music finished, we were further required to recite a pledge of allegiance. It went like this: "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." I didn't know what any of the key words like "pledge" or "allegiance" meant. All I knew was that if I didn't do these things, the school adults would make my life unpleasant. Why? I didn't know then. I don't know now, but recently, a furor arose when some NFL players chose to kneel while the anthem played. What do I think about that? Though I am a Vietnam-era veteran, I do not think first of the military when I hear the anthem and/or see th