TAMPA, FL –  People from the Texas delegation say the Pledge of Allegiance . 2012 in Tampa the second day of the Republican National Convention  (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Paul Goldfinger,  Editor  @Blogfinger

Wednesday night,  August 24, 2016.  Ocean Grove:

We have attended many events over the years in the Great Auditorium.  Most are preceded by a prayer and  by the national anthem.  Tonight,  at the OG Summer Band concert, the announcer said that the Star Spangled Banner was to be played and that we all should stand and cover our hearts with our hands.

That sounded strange to me because I never heard that request regarding positioning one’s hand  made before in the GA.   I thought, “Is this a new policy about how to behave in the GA, or was this announcer just being a little full of himself?”   I found his request to be vaguely annoying.  Surely we can all choose our personal method of showing respect to the flag and the anthem.  And did he have to request that we all stand?   Won’t everyone stand without being so directed?

I have noticed  in the past  that people sometimes covered their hearts with their hands at the GA, but I never heard of  any rules about it, nor did I ever feel compelled to do it.   It struck me as being unnecessary as a way to show respect to the national anthem and the flag.  After all we were standing for the playing, facing the flag, and singing the words.

And, by the way, the singing of the national anthem, sometimes by thousands  in the GA,  is one of the most patriotic experiences one could have, and I know that new visitors to the GA are often moved by the sound and sight of it.

Recently President Obama was criticized for not covering his heart with his hand when he stood for the national anthem at a baseball game.  He said, “I was taught to cover my heart during the Pledge of Allegiance and to sing during the anthem.”

From a Huffington Post writer,  “I don’t remember that gesture when we sang the Star Spangled Banner—or tried to—during my K-12 years.”

A recent fuss was made when a US Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas stood with her teammates for the Star Spangled Banner with her hands at her side.  She tweeted that she was excited and meant no disrespect.

Note that the hand over the heart gesture was first introduced in 1942.  It was not necessary during the first nearly 200 years of this nation.   Not placing your hand over your heart seems to be optional in practice,  but I bet that more than usual did it last night because of the request by the announcer.

Here is the official rule from the U.S. Code:

Conduct During Playing.—During a rendition of the national anthem:
(1) When the flag is displayed during the national anthem:
(a) individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note;
(b) members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute in the manner provided for individuals in uniform; and
(c) all other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, and men not in uniform, if applicable, should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart; and
(2) when the flag is not displayed, all present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed.

(3.)  In addition, if you are wearing a non-religious hat, you should remove it and hold it over your heart.  Perhaps the CMA might want to hand out the lyrics to the SSB.  It would be good if those who want to sing had the words.   After all, how often does one get the chance to sing along with a full band or orchestra.  Unfortunately, our national anthem is tough to sing.

Incidentally,  you do capitalize the name “Star Spangled Banner,” but not the words “national anthem.”

PAT DONOHUE   on solo guitar with the national anthem: