[ontimelissa]

Could anyone tell me what the proper etiquette is for the person who is singing the National Anthem? My daughter will be singing it before a ballgame and she was asking me this. I just wasn't quite sure. Thanks!

[Peter Ansoff]

Could anyone tell me what the proper etiquette is for the person who is singing the National Anthem? My daughter will be singing it before a ballgame and she was asking me this.

Hi, welcome to the forum. The US Code (which is quoted in my 8/17/08 posting in this thread, see above), does not say anything specific about the singer. The rule of thumb is that your daughter should do whatever seems appropriate. If she can put her hand over her heart without compromising her performance, that's fine, but this should not override practical considerations. For example, if she has to hold a microphone and is more comfortable holding it in her right hand, she should do that.

Best,

Peter Ansoff

[sand]

Originally Posted by chardcole

There is a lot of flack right now because Barak Obama did not put his hand over his heart during the playing of our national anthem. I was taught many years ago that you quietly stand at attention with your hands down during the playing of the music or that you sing along if asked to do so. The same is true when the flag passes by as in a parade. Many people my age do not put their hands over their hearts except when saying the Pledge of Allegience to the Flag because that's the way we were taught. I would imagine Obama follows that same stance. I have no idea if or when the rules were changed and would like to know.

THIS IS EXACTLY HOW I WAS TAUGHT TO HONOR OUR FLAG! HAND OVER THE HEART ONLY FOR THE ALLEGIENCE TO THE FLAG! STANDING AT ATTENTION FOR THE NATIONAL ANTHEM! I THINK FOLKS JUST LIKE TO PICK. I ALWAYS NOTICED PEOPLE MAKING THE MISTAKE OF HANDS OVER HEART FOR THE ANTHEM. I DO NOT ADHERE TO THIS. UNLESS THE RULES HAVE CHANGED, I WILL CONTINUE DOING IT THE WAY I WAS TAUGHT IN SCHOOL!

[Peter Ansoff]

Hi, Sand, welcome to the forum!

HAND OVER THE HEART ONLY FOR THE ALLEGIENCE TO THE FLAG! STANDING AT ATTENTION FOR THE NATIONAL ANTHEM!

Well, that's not what Title 36 Sec. 1 Para 301 of the US Code says:

During a rendition of the national anthem—
(1) when the flag is displayed—
(A) all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart;
(B) men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold the headdress at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart; and
(C) individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note; 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.

Conduct during the pledge of allegiance is covered in Title 4, Ch. 1 Para 4, and says basically the same thing:

The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag . . . should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove any non-religious headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute.

These are only guidelines, of course, but that's what the rules say.

Peter Ansoff

[wizard2162]

Mr. Ansoff
Thank you for this forum. Now when my children ask a question about the customs of our nation I know where to go to get the "correct" answers.