To all NFL players who see fit to kneel during our national anthem:

You have a right to kneel and disrespect our country, but you are doing it on my son’s blood. You are disrespecting the very flag that draped his coffin and every coffin that came home from war. He, among many, many others, gave his life protecting our freedom and liberty so that you have the freedom to express your disrespect.

Do you not realize the sacrifices made by many brave men and women who chose to serve and protect us, not to mention the sacrifices the families made? The many wounded warriors struggling for a sense of normalcy?

If you did, you would find a more appropriate avenue to protest your grievances. Or better yet, go put your money where your knees are and help the many struggling children in this country. You certainly make far more money than those who defend the freedoms you enjoy. Maybe then, when a child looks to an athlete, he or she will see someone who deserves to be looked up to.

Surely, why would anyone look up to an athlete who is slapping the face of all the Gold Star Mothers and Families who have lost loved ones serving this great nation?

Yes, I realize the chances of an actual NFL player reading the Salisbury Post is pretty slim to none, but at least I’ve had my say.

— Teresa Elrod

Salisbury