Day 4 in Beijing
Monday, August 11th, 2008
Today is the 3rd day of competition but I’m still
riding high from Sunday night’s relay win!!
That was the greatest race I’ve ever seen! Michael
Phelps swam harder than ever to lead us off then our
anchor leg Jason Lezak, despite facing incredible
odds, decided to not give up and amazingly touched out
the huge world record Frenchman! It just goes to show
you how powerful the decision can be to never give up.
Just think what can happen in your life when you go
all out to develop your body, spirit and of course,
your mind through reading!!! We were all so proud to
sing that National Anthem and see our flag raised!!
I think it’s important to note 2 things about the
medal ceremonies. One is the singing of the national
anthem and the other is proper flag etiquette.
Etiquette is a French word for proper actions or good
manners. It stems from the same origin as the word
ethics or how you do things. Winning a gold
medal for your country is very good time to showcase
your very best ethics or etiquette. You are
representing an entire country and every facial
gesture is showcased on global television! I think
it looks so good when an athlete smiles and sings the
anthem with pride and gratitude. I don’t know why
some athletes don’t smile and sing but if you every
find yourself winning the gold may I encourage you to
smile and sing. As a refresher, I have included the
words of our National Anthem:
Oh, say can you see by the dawn’s early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last
gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the
perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly
streaming?
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still
there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
And the understood answer to the questions of this
song that Francis Scott Key wrote over 200 years ago
is YES! Yes, our flag still flys and represents a
great country.
Well, the excitement of the medal ceremony can be
overwhelming but it’s also important to know how to
treat our American Flag.
The following rules should always be observed in
regard to Old Glory:
The blue field of stars (called the Union) on the flag
should be in the upper left as you look at it.
When flying with another flag, the American flag
should be on top.
Never let the flag touch the ground, the floor or
water.
Don’t place anything or attach anything to the
American flag.
When a flag isn’t in a condition to be displayed
anymore it should be destroyed in a dignified manner.
The flag should not be warn as a cape but should be
displayed in tasteful manner on clothing.
All this patriotism reminds that I can’t wait until
the next Olympics in back in America.
By the way we have hosted the Olympics 8 times. More
than any other country and hopefully we will host it
in the near future.
1904 Summer Games – St. Louis
1932 Winter Games – Lake Placid, NY
1932 Sumer Games – Los Angeles, CA
1960 Winter Games – Squaw Valley, CA
1980 Winter Games – Lake Placid, NY
1984 Summer Games – Los Angeles, CA
1996 Summer Games – Atlanta, GA
2002 Winter Games – Salt Lake City, UT
(Hopefully will win the right to host 2016 in
Chicago!)
All you swimmers out there need to keep reading and keep
training so we can all go to the 2016 Games and cheer
you on! Keep READING & SWIMMING FOR THE GOLD!, never give up and
know that I am proud of you. GO USA!
