Sam Kendricks and “the most patriotic moment”
Some folks are calling Army reservist 2LT Sam Kendricks’ abrupt stop during his pole vault attempt at the Olympics the most patriotic moment they’ve witnessed. From MSN News;
When ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ started playing during his competition in Rio, U.S. pole vaulter Sam Kendricks literally dropped what he was doing to pay respect to the national anthem.
Here’s the moment;
And, here’s the vault that earned him a Bronze Medal;
The Mississippi native became the first American to take home a medal in that event since Timothy Mack won gold in Athens in 2004. A two-time NCAA champion, he also is the first athlete from the University of Mississippi to win an Olympic medal.
Kendricks comes from a military family, as his father, Scott, served 10 years in the U.S. marines and is now his son’s coach in the pole vault.
Thanks to the folks who sent us the link.
Category: Veterans in the news
+500 Promote.
PLOT TWIST, The Lt. was supposed to be competing in the women’s giant slalom
http://i.imgur.com/mG0WhU4.jpg
/Lt jokes.
I just figgered that he stopped to read the map and found out that he was a full klik off…
A klik and 176 degrees.
What a true patriot, athlete and gentleman.
Amen!
Outstanding, EllTee!
Most men, when they drop their pole, can’t stand at attention…
Compare that to the fact that probably half of the American medalists wouldn’t even place their hands over their hearts when the National Anthem was being played on their behalf..
+54 to the LT.
Thank you, 2LT Kendricks.
Well done.
I hope to see early promote to Capain in his future. ..
Geez…… Captain, lol. .
Careful there Grunt. You’re spelling like a Marine there…
And we’ve all seen folks on Posts standing inside the door to avoid going out at Retreat.
folks, hell… I’ve seen Field Grade Officers bunched up at the doors of Greeley Hall during retreat. Assholes.
^^Word. Me too.^^
Actually, what he did SHOULD be commonplace but is now so rare that someone who does what he did makes national news. This is not to detract from his exercise of etiquette. It’s to lament that we;ve come to this. The coolest part of this story for me is that his Dad is his coach. How cool is it for a father and son to team up to win a Gold Medal?
That would indeed be cool. Unfortunately, if memory serves 2LT Kendricks placed 3rd and ended up with the Bronze. (smile)
Whoops.
I wish he could wear it with his uniform kind of like the Order of St Maurice, that would rock. I mean it is a medal for great achievement in furtherance of the army values. I think it should be treated as a foreign award. Just my opinion. I can’t believe they frikin tax the Olympians prize money.
Fantastic!
Good job, LT.
Thank you for your example.
As to the referenced other Olympic athletes, from an interview I read with one blasted in the social media, they stood at attention, intending to be respecting the flag.
Perhaps some of these athletes have not been taught, or had it drilled into them, about the hand-over-the-heart salute being how one shows respect. If, by their actions, they are trying to show respect (e.g. “standing at attention” as the interviewee was) then I give them credit.
Sometimes we need to be cautious before we assign fault.
So did everyone notice that Usain Bolt also stopped an interview when he heard the US anthem being played during a track and field event? He’s a Jamaican who showed respect for the US anthem during a medal ceremony, says a lot about his level of maturity and professionalism.
Not every athlete puts their hand over their heart, many do while the rest often stand at attention. That’s good enough for me, they’re not sitting their bouncing around and acting like fools.
This was a nice move by the LT, but our young athletes have all shown respect during the medal ceremonies. They have represented us well with the exception of the lying sack of shit known as Lochte.
Well, this is an Olympic topic. Less than three minutes. Wait until you hear the Owens quote about his friend…
That video of Usain Bolt stopping an interview for the anthem took place four years ago, but started to get attention again the past week. Usain is a good man, and that respect he showed for the U.S. anthem says everything about the man.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8uiYELBajc
Also, in regards to the hand over heart thing during the anthem, yes, the US flag code does instruct one to put their hand over their hearts at attention during the playing of the anthem (civilians and out of uniform). However, it is just that, a guidance, and not something enforceable. In fact I have seen many American athlete’s not put their hands over their hearts (the U.S. gold and silver medalists from the shot put, etc.). So I don’t think it’s fair to criticize anyone for not doing so.
Finally, congrats to the 2LT. That pole vault competition was amazing, and to get a bronze medal in such a great competition, what an honor for him.
Yea, dumb-ass Lochte just got a couple of sponsors janked. And he pissed off Al Roker.
Damn, Son! I got goosebumps a few times. Guess you were looking to find where the flag was flying, too! OFS!!!
After the day I have had I needed to see something positive and uplifting like this. I’m proud of that young man and glad he was able to medal.
Damn well done, LT. You have made an old veteran proud, Sir.
oh shit, mouth breathing during the national anthem should be punishable by the UCMJ.
The best part is a bit after he downed pole and stood-to.
He starts looking around with a “wft did I do?” look on his face. Says to me it was a deeply embedded, autonomic response, rather than a grand stand play.
Much like what happened to Robin William during a USO show.
I thought he was looking to face the flag, but couldn’t tell where it was.
He did the right thing. I think most soldiers would. They all should.
I’m not trying to be disrespectful, but isn’t anyone going to comment on the totally lost look he had on his face?
He was clearly trying to find the flag so he could face it. I was guilty of that myself a few times over the years. Also, whenever I was out of uniform and they began playing retreat, I faced the flag and stood at attention. I never placed my hand over my heart. As was already mentioned above, he id something that should come automatically to people but sadly, doesn’t anymore.
No, no. He showed true respect and could probably teach some other Olympians a thing or two about respecting the flag. I’m just saying that he had a lost look on his face.
Yes! If you can’t see the Colors, then face the direction of the music.
Ya done good, sir.
Nicely done.
But, but….
What about those he may have offended?
Just kidding, fuck them!