I also agree with a woman’s hat staying on if - it is part of formal attire, but also have to take exception to any female wearing *a “prop” or spirit type of costume hat *though. Doesn’t seem like a lot to ask or expect.
I get more annoyed by the often excessive chatter during the National Anthem. I’ve been to many events where you could hear a pin drop during another country’s anthem, then the chatter picks up during ours. 
This is what the accepted rule is. Fancy hats that are Pinned as part of an outfit can remain. Everyday hats, and the Costume hats that had me irritated this morning should be removed.
That being said, I am still very glad that many FIRST students know the National Anthem, and will perform it. It amazes me some places I go and how our youth does not know the National Anthem.
I have learned many things from FIRST and I will include a lesson on manners. I will revise my opinion of women wearing hats during the National Anthem, to: Women wearing fancy hats (with a hat pin) will remain on, while other less-fancy hats and costume hats will be removed.
Thank you CD and FIRST.
Related to post, not to thread.
The most awe inspiring moment at any FIRST competition was the Flint FLL tournament (I can’t recall which one) last year. The AV equipment cut out 30 seconds into the Anthem. Without missing a beat the entire auditorium picked up and sang the rest of the Anthem. Sorry, I thought it was epic.
I was thinking about this thread yesterday during Dean’s speech in Boston. My godson was there with family, and he is 10. Over lunch he was playing games on his phone, and I wondered if I would see a repeat of this thread during the awards ceremonies. Dean gave a very typical Dean speech, but my godson sat there quietly with his head on his mom’s shoulder and paid attention the ENTIRE time. He didn’t fidget or whip out his phone, and he has never been involved in robotics or even seen an event before. It was a simple matter of knowing when to show respect. I was really proud of him 
Another thought about the National Anthem (s), our National Anthem (not sure the policy in other countries) was written and intended to be a collective experience of patriotism and national pride. It is actually considered BAD MANNERS to stand quietly during the singing of the anthem. Unfortunately, our culture has allowed the anthem to turn into a performer/audience situation, which it was never intended to be. It is actually against United States flag code to applaud for the anthem.
I must respectfully disagree. It is not wrong to stand quietly during the National Anthem.
§301. National anthem
Designation. — The composition consisting of the words and music known as the Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem.
Conduct During Playing — During rendition of the national anthem —
when the flag is displayed —
individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note;
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
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
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.
I really prefer not fussing over details in the Anthem. Does someone’s singing, silence, posture, and position really determine the level of one’s respect for the country? It’s no big deal either way, really, as long as people have good intentions and put in an honest effort. If they directly don’t observe the anthem out of protest or whatever, then try and be subtle and don’t make a scene. Pretty simple…
Yes it does, at least to me, and I am sure other people. However, this enters the discussion into Politics and Beliefs which we are kindly asked to refrain from on CD, so I will leave it at that.
In the grand scheme of things, I have noticed that FIRSTers are far and above on of the most respectful groups when it comes to things such as this, and I think that says a lot to the sense of professionalism that FIRST has instilled in us all.
Standing at attention implies standing quietly.
UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 36, CHAPTER 10, §171. Conduct during playing
During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should render the military salute at the first note of the anthem and retain this position until the last note. When the flag is not displayed, those present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed there.
I don’t know of anything in the flag code that says that. I think you might be confusing the National Anthem with the Pledge of Allegiance.
I’ve seen things in my travels from regional to regional these past couple of years that by far surpasses ignoring Deans speeches (like openly using abusive language towards other teams, team members when the team loses and generally ignoring arena rules - the barrier is there for a reason not to jump over) but the kid barking out " WRAP IT UP!" in Boston would have probably seen his last moments as a member of my team if he pulled that stunt.
This goes back to inappropriate conduct during the speeches. I remember back to when I was a rookie and a student on the team I now mentor. I always thought that Dean’s speeches were not interesting but I was never disrespectful. Now that I’m older, I find his speeches much more interesting and captivating. I think that part of the problem may be that once students see one person do it they’ll do it as well. Once someone gets away with it once, they expect to get away with it all the time.
The team may not take action against the student but the team itself risks being punished for the students idiotic and selfish behavior by other teams who will now not want anything to do with them because they are perceived as endorsing such boorish behavior.
As I have pointed out to students on the team before: alot of students and mentors who came years before them work many endless hours to build the X-Cats reputation up to the level that it is to have it torn down be them because they can’t be bothered acting like they have sense.
Any student who really feels like having a real life Facebook status moment and just blurt out the first thing that comes into their mind should just do the right thing and take off the team shirt and withdraw from he team before dragging them down after all the hard work they have already put in. It’s the least they can do.
I agree. This was for me the only bad moment of an awesome event.
I’m sorry, what happened in Boston?
slaps self $@#$@#$@#$@# my curiosity.
As Dean Kamen was speaking at the end of the event someone yelled “Wrap it up”. I just found it very disprespectful towards a man I respect very much. He has earned the right to speak as long as he wants.
Why would someone even think of doing that?
I hope they got kicked off their team.
The horrifying part is, he was making a speech about why FIRST started to give out the Dean’s List award, and how we should honor and celebrate the amazing students that FIRST has as a part of our big ‘family’.
As a member of the Boston Regional Planning Committee, I am utterly disgusted that one of our special guests at the regional was treated so poorly.
I applaud Dean for how well he handled being so rudely interrupted- I was given the honor of presenting the Imagery Award at Boston in honor of my grandfather, and I probably would have either burst out crying or said something very un-gracious if someone did that to me.
I don’t care who it is- Dean, Woodie, the President of the United States, your best friend, or just some hobo off the street- you treat all human beings with respect. That was just plain rude and I’m so sorry that it had to happen at such a wonderful regional.
I guess that even at a regional there is one in every crowd. Everyone else I met and talked to there was great.I have so many good memories from this past weekend. That will be what I will remember
Because they think FIRST is about the robots. I hope they figure out soon that FIRST is about inspiration and the robots are no more important than the file used to take the edges off them. I hope they have many years in FIRST and can learn what it is really about.