I've served 23 years in the Marine Corps and I can tell you what I swore to defend. I/We swore to oath to defend the CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Not a damn flag. Now, with all due respect, the flag represents FREEDOM. And in that freedom, you have a freedom to stand/sit/kneel or not attend.
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Well I am from a military family that doesn't see it the same. We have been kill or be killed for generations and have lost several in service. I chose to respond to you because of your 23 years. You deserve the respect of a reply. Maybe we can converse without getting ugly.

I don't think the governor should have gone public with this, and it could be politically motivated. Not the right way to do this.

I don't know of any veterans or active that do not stand for the anthem. There are some, I just don't know any. The ones I know see it as a sign of respect. Not all feel exactly the same but good soldiers respect their leadership and their elders, and are willing to defend them. I see our military service as defending our country. The flag represents our country. It did to my dad. He fought hand to hand, up close and personal. I think about that a lot. Not taking anything away from those that were asked to fight differently. The time and place for everyone in active duty is what it is. Dad 100% believed in honoring the flag. He deserves my respect and yours. My whole family is that way. Some of us were Vietnam, and Iraq. That came out different from WWII, but we all stand. I have first hand knowledge of a young widow who stands. If this bothers many who showed up when it was their turn to serve, then some lucky sports stars can use it as a chance to show respect. Since it doesn't bother you, I bet you agree that a lot of your brothers think we should stand. I see no reason to go against them. They earned it. You earned the right to your opinion, too. It is fine if it doesn't happen to bother you. I just think those on the sideline should not run their mouths so much about their rights that others defend for them or the widow. Most of the folks that have so much to say on this would shite themselves in active duty. How many of them would freely choose to serve because they think it is the right thing to do? But they sure can run their mouth about freedom. Bunch of big mouth tough guys. I don't want to waste my time replying to them.

I stand out of respect to the many that earned it and because they think I should. I believe most military feel that way. My dad came back or else I wouldn't be here. Have 2 uncles that didn't. Have a son who was army sniper in Iraq, and came back changed for the worse. He stands. I don't side with those that don't.