"National Anthem at Wargaming Show?" Topic

If they play the national anthem before a sports game, should they perform the national anthem at the start of the day at a wargaming show or convention?

It is a hobby not a sporting event.
In the end it is all up to the host club and staff.
I have no problem with it.

At Crusade in Penarth it would certainly surprise the English

At one of the conventions I was at, someone started playing bagpipes. Apparently it added some flavor to the game he was hosting. It was pretty good…if you like bagpipes.

Anyone can play bagpipes whenever they want to, as long as they play well, as far as I am concerned…

No

Only if all the games have 'Muricans as one of the contestants. Otherwise, "Hail, Hail, Fredonia!", "Waltzing Matilda", "La Marseillaise" (with Spanish guitar, brass section, and Sam's piano accompanying), The Conch Republic Anthem, "Lydia the Tattooed Lady" or "Hooray for Captain Spauldlng".

No

Please no….

No! It should be the Pledge of Allegiance.

No

+1DAF

Do all the players playing "progressive" nations ( Soviet Union, Revolutionary French, Cuba…) have to kneel?

What a dumb topic, which flagrantly violates the vaunted TMP "no politics" rule.
The OP needs 5 days in the DH for that.
Oh, wait. It's The Editor.
Never mind.

Trick or treat!

which national anthem?

How about onward Christian Soldiers.

You're confused. It's the people who want exemptions from anti-trust laws and taxpayer-funded stadiums who want to play--and then disrespect--the Anthem.

For us, how about a few bars of "The March of the Tin Soldiers" on opening day? Beats that woman at Valley Forge Convention Center who wanted to give a speech.

Don't think some UK wargamers would be happy with an anthem which includes a verse about 'crushing rebellious Scots'.

No.

As far as I know, no wargame convention has ever played the anthem or recited the pledge of allegiance. Nor has any model railroad show, coin collecters event, numismatic event, quilting show, auto show, boat show, flea market, garage sale, or social event or county fair, picnic, barbecue or lodge day.

To answer as posed, I would participate respectfully whether my nation or another. I do not however, feel it necessary.

No need for the Anthem[the US's I take it as Bill lives in the USA ?!] to be played at a place where [supposed]grown men and possibly some women play with toys. IMO, of course, it really is not necessary …

I think Otto put in best …

At the start of the day? What is considered the start – 5 minutes before they open the ticket booth? Not everyone, is present at the start of a wargaming convention. And mostly everyone is not present. At least at the ones I've attended. would be better attended in middle of day. But I see no reason to do either.

You're on to something there, Robert:

https://youtu.be/gvqpw6tlj9k

Though given some Historicon trips,this might be more appropriate:

https://youtu.be/DTcdWUiKgXY

Comments attempting to politicize the discussion have been removed.

When I attended college, the national anthem was played every morning. Wouldn't that be even more appropriate at a wargaming convention, where the battles are inspired by real men who gave their lives for real causes? Is it too much to ask wargamers to take a moment to reflect on the real casualties of war?

The long historical and pervasive process of conscription detracts from the notion that men died for a cause. Men who volunteered maybe, but in the end men give their lives for their brethren in the ranks.

I think that you overstate the link between wargaming and real war. Very few wargamers I know have any links to the military at all.

I can't really see what effect a national anthem has that will make any link between military deaths and games simulating combats that may have been many thousands of years ago or even imaginary.

I suppose the anthem has more cultural significance in the US than it does in the UK but still doubt the efficacy of the plan.

People who have lost loved ones in conflict carry their memory in their hearts and 'reflect' on them continually. For the rest of us, official remembrance days give us a time to do that, although I'm sure many wargamers are not so shallow as to not think of those lost on many occasions while playing or researching.
The playing of a mere 'tune' doesn't do anything for me, unless of course, it is 'The Last Post' or 'Sunset'

As noted, I am not sure why an organizer would want to play the anthem at a convention.

Even the local clubs 'Veteran Wars' scheduled for the 11th and 12th aren't restricting the games to conflicts that involved America – one of them is a HOTT tourney.

At that point, the playing the anthem becomes rather moot.

Only if the anthem is Borussia.

Hafen, they lied to you. That was the Parade of the Toy Soldiers.

Here is the March of the Little Tin Soldiers:

YouTube link

I play it for troop reviews.

I would like to know what was "snipped" out of Otto's post. Otto, tell us in "code".

Please, no. Playing the anthem is not as simple as it used to be. Not everyone at the con is an American. I also agree with Rudy. This is a hobby.

Editor Bill

You deleted entries that you feel tried to politicize the issue, but isn't your post about the anthem in college and playing it at conventions to show respect for those people who gave their lives in the battles we model a little political as well. That is the issue at the heart of the controversy.

Nick is correct. The Editor starts this post, pontificates about the cause, and then suppresses the views of TPM'ers. Doesn't seem right. If I went on, I too would be deleted.

Ha! Ha! Ha! No…

@NP, @WS: "Let a hundred flowers blossom"?

The question was purely political.

Hail Freedonia is the only acceptable choice!
YouTube link

What,Robert? You're saying youtube is wrong? I cannot believe it!

But you are correct, of course. Except that it's "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" by Jessel. I still like that video,though. Here's a version from a 1928 film (color!):

https://youtu.be/d1l4FryOw3o

At least that one got the name right--I noticed many others say "Tin".

It's confusing. There's also this well-known toy soldier march:

https://youtu.be/hmSoXMfoLeI

But also this one I never heard of:

https://youtu.be/tdEf4bw6L-k

And we can't do without Victor Herbert!

https://youtu.be/lUN78LgRfHE

Now where did I put those Eurekas?

(^These aren't mine,sad to say. Beautiful though, aren't they?^).

Oh yes--for miniMo,and for every deleted poster:

https://youtu.be/29E6GbYdB1c

So MANY snips and deleted comments! Is the subject matter of this thread designed to create controversy and bad vibes?

Since when is the national anthem (any anthem) a de facto requirement at a game convention? Should we also pledge allegiance to a flag? Kiss the big toe of an effigy of the Leader? Enjoy a Two-Minute Hate?

Hail, Freedonia!

Excuse me while I check out the current Dawghouse kennel….

Quelle suprise!! Only two incarcerated, and neither for this topic, far as I can tell. Che miracolo!

I see no DH icons by anyone's nzme.
And I'm too lazy to check all the DELETED for locked accounts.

So, to anyone who considers this thread as controversy bait, it didn't work.
One would have to be as dumb as Wile E Coyote standing under the giant hammer labeled "TRAP".

This topic looks like a CIA memo from the Warren Commission with all the redacted statements.

No locked accounts, Winston. Yet.

Still early days,though.

Oh ! Like those Wooded Soldiers !

They are lovely, aren't they? They're from a blog by Corporal Trim,a member here,with whom I share a certain literary connection. I haven't seen a post from him in a while,but I hope he won't mind my posting a link:

link

You can also find more pics of his stuff through a Google Image search for "Eureka Toy Soldiers".

Absolutely not. Let's not polititicize another thing, thank you very much.

I don't feel the need for the national anthem to be played at conventions or sporting events – I stand & I served this great country in the Army for nearly 10 yrs to protect the rights of others to speak their minds & protest peacefully – I don't see it as a sign of disrespect for the military, my service, or my country

They are lovely, aren't they?

They're classic in look and style !

I served this great country in the Army for nearly 10 yrs to protect the rights of others to speak their minds & protest peacefully – I don't see it as a sign of disrespect for the military, my service, or my country

ditto … same-same …

As did I, dsfrank…glad to see someone else who remembers just what we pledged to and served for! 😊