GOSHEN —
While the debate over Goshen College’s decision to first play the national anthem and then reverse that decision has been mostly among the college’s Mennonite alumni and supporters, the Goshen community as a whole is reacting to the news.
Goshen-area veterans who were questioned about the college’s decision to stop playing the national anthem before sporting events said Tuesday they think college officials should reconsider.
"I think they should continue to play it," said Dick Stilley, commander at the Goshen Disabled American Veterans Chapter 15. "It is an insult to veterans to not do it. If it wasn’t for us to do the job they put us in, there would not be the freedoms in America. They should still show them respect, as well as the families who lost loved ones."
As veterans gathered for a meeting at the DAV, others pitched in their comments.
"I don’t get it. The military is the backbone of this country," said Randy Troyer, Goshen, who served in the Navy and is second junior vice commander at the DAV.
"They wouldn’t have the freedoms to begin with, if not for the military. I find it pretty appalling that they would do that. They probably had no problem observing Memorial Day. The school was probably shut down for that."
"I think they need to reconsider it," said Charlie Harrell, senior vice commander at the DAV. "When you play the national anthem, you say you support the U.S."
He said he is a lifelong Goshen resident and as a band member played the national anthem at Goshen High School games.
"I wore the uniform for four years. I went there (Vietnam). I had to go," Harrell said. "The separation of church and state doesn’t hold water here. Don’t turn around and say it is because of your religious beliefs.
"This shows a lack of respect for what this country offers and is disrespectful for veterans and especially for those who gave their lives," Harrell said. "I think it’s wrong."
People other than veterans are also talking about the decision.
"Boy, we discussed it at work today," at Gunnite Corp., said Navy veteran John Peterson, Syracuse, who serves as treasurer at the Goshen DAV and is set to be installed Saturday as state commander of the DAV. He said some of his co-workers are veterans and others are not, but they supported having the anthem played at sporting events.
"If it wasn’t for the freedom that veterans fought for, they wouldn’t be able to have the school or the sporting events there," Peterson said.
If the college does not want to play the national anthem to honor the country, the government should not help the school financially, Peterson suggested.
"I don’t think it is fair to us. I can’t believe some people are offended by that (anthem.) Think about those who served. They served and did what the government told them to do."
Across Pike Street at the Veterans of Foreign Wars post, other veterans were talking about the college’s decision.
"If it wasn’t for the veterans, they wouldn’t have the college here," said Mike Inebnit, Goshen, a member of the Goshen VFW 985. "My dad was in World War II and went all through Germany."
And Inebnit pointed out he believes there is a difference between the songs "God Bless America" and the national anthem.
"I served in the military and I was a member of the Church of the Brethren," began Dick Edwards, who served in the Army in the Vietnam era.
"I served in Korea. I had a lot of friends who came from Goshen College, too," Edwards said. "We — the military — fought for their right to dissent. I wish they appreciated us more.
"The college has been an integral part of Goshen for so long. We can agree to disagree.
"It does taint a little bit, but they have the right," said Edwards. "We all have to be tolerant."
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