On Wednesday, the National Football League announced that all players on the field must stand for the national anthem or else their team will face fines. The policy is a response to the controversy over players protesting police brutality by kneeling during the anthem.
President Trump has said the protest "disrespects our flag" and that NFL owners should fire any "son of a bitch" who refuses to stand.
And Vice President Pence responded to the new NFL policy yesterday with "#Winning."
#Winning 🇺🇸
Meanwhile, here is how some soldiers and veterans have responded to the controversy:
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My grandpa is a 97 year-old WWII vet & Missouri farmer who wanted to join w/ those who #TakeaKnee: "those kids have every right to protest." https://t.co/LurCj7SLUB
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If you think I joined the #USNavy so NFL football players can kneel in protest of racial injustice, you would be correct. #TakeTheKnee
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I’m a Veteran that went on active duty on 9/11. I went to Iraq in 2003. I will fight like hell for anyone to #TakeAKnee. ✊🏾
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Served in combat multiple times. I never did anything as brave as #takeaknee Nor as likely to fulfill the promise of "justice for all."
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I didn’t serve to defend America’s systems of white supremacy and police brutality. Solidarity with #TakeTheKnee and #VeteransForKaepernick https://t.co/sTk7v7imtg
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Wondering how many of the NFL owners are veterans? I'm a vet. People debating #TakeAKnee is exactly why I served. People refusing to allow others to state their opinion is not.
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@ShaunKing We kneel out of respect for the fallen. We kneel for injustices. We fought for our democracy. As a 17 yr vet, I did not fight for the flag, I fought for our country and its representation. #TakeAKnee https://t.co/exrF6qz9gD
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@writerTQB @StarWarsBill Kneeling is a peaceful demonstration. As a former US Marine; I fought so people could do this very thing!!!! Good for them and yes, hear them out!
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I serve so everyone has a voice. https://t.co/CjXE2M5QnD
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@ChokeOnKek @KoreyKruse @BobbyGBklyn @AnthnyMazzeo @FoxNews @FoxBusiness @NFL My family and I support the protest AND their right to #TakeAKnee !!!! Sincerely, A vet Daughter of a vet Mother of enlisted https://t.co/r97AEgPMw9