What Does Honor Mean for Americans? If It's Right for One, It's Right for All!

(Editor's note about the author: T.O. Illustratio is a free lance writer and observer of the interaction of personalities in everyday life. The author seeks to inspire readers to look within themselves to see how much good they can do in this world when a definitive purpose in life is clear. This column is reprinted with permission from the author.)

The historical reference I'm using to begin this essay will most likely convey a clear view of my decades on this earth. Younger readers won't know of the example I'm using in this composition that seeks to initiate discussion on the question, "What does honor mean?"  In particular, what does it mean for citizens of the United States?

I was very young when the Summer Olympics were held in Mexico City. Even that far back in time, I was a sports nut and a certified history geek, long before that descriptive term was coined. There were hours spent throwing baseballs back and forth with my Dad. There were hours spent fishing in the local rivers, hours that nearly always provided dinner for our family as well as buckets of fish for some older people who weren't able to get to the river any longer.

1968 was the year of those summer games in Mexico City. That year would become one of the most difficult and challenging times in our nation and around the world. As that aforementioned history geek, I listened intently to Walter Cronkite giving us the events of the day and the impacts of those events. I asked my Dad plenty of questions since I was so young and was wondering why things happened?

In my own patriotic family, one that stressed doing the right things simply because they were right, some of these events were beyond discouraging. Our nation was brutally divided over a war thousands of miles away, assassinations of Dr. King and Robert Kennedy, riots in cities around the country, and a calamity on full international display at the Democratic convention in Chicago.

The Olympics were supposed to provide a distraction, a unifying point of national pride at least for a couple weeks, and a needed break from the chaos of the year. There were certainly parts of that Summer Olympics that provided the welcome respite. But there was also a medal ceremony that sparked more anger, more division and led to my next question to my Dad. "What does honor mean? What does it really mean?"

What Does Honor Mean?

The word, honor, can be used in several methods as every proper English teacher can attest. I will provide the perfunctory, albeit required examples of the word in verb and noun format. But that isn't the crux of this story. The driving point today is the lesson I learned from my Dad when I asked him, "Why did they do that?"

What does honor mean from an antiseptic, bland English lesson? As a verb, think about the Commandment to "honor your Father and Mother." Think about, "He was honored with a gold medal after winning the race. Discover Cards are honored here."

As a noun, think about, "A man of honor. She has earned a position of honor through her dedication. I had the honor of witnessing this event." All of that is fine and there are many more synonyms to be found. But this column is about a deeper, more profound truth that every young history geek searches for and every citizen of our great nation should be embracing.

What does honor mean? I'll give you the best example I've found in my decades on earth. You might know of a better description and if so, please share it.

At those Olympics in 1968, this very young sports nut who is writing this essay today watched the American team, the team this author was rooting for with every ounce of pride and enthusiasm. An American won the 200 meter dash and he did it in record time. Another American finished in third place. I loved hearing the National Anthem played at the medal ceremonies. I still do.

But at this medal ceremony, the two Americans I had rooted for would raise their fists during the Star Spangled Banner. There was outrage at this act of seeming disrespect. There were consequences for the act as nearly every act has consequences.

I asked my Dad, "Why did they do that? Aren't they proud to be part of our team?" It was at that moment that I learned a big lesson. What does honor mean? He would teach me.

My Dad vehemently disagreed with the act, but he looked directly at me and said, "Our country grants us free speech, which includes free expression as long as we don't injure someone else. I don't like what these guys did, but if we don't honor their right to free speech, we are the ones disrespecting our nation. If it's a right once, it's a right every time for every person in our country. We don't have to like it, but we do have to grant that right."

I never forgot that lesson. I also never forgot something else he taught me. "Maybe we need to think about it? We haven't walked in their shoes, so maybe we are missing something?"  What does honor mean? I think my Dad gave me a good explanation by his example.

And Now?

The Olympics are in progress as I write this editorial. I still get choked up when our National Anthem is played during the medal ceremony. I still root for every American athlete. I still feel bad when things don't go as planned after years of dedication and hard work. And I still remember what my Dad taught me.

Decades later this history geek is seeing events repeat. One of our athletes was asked a question and she answered it. That is her right. I might not agree with her opinion, but it is my duty to honor the right to free speech for every citizen as long as that speech doesn't cause harm.

"When I chose to utilize one of the amazing things about the United States of America (Freedom of speech) to convey how I feel as an athlete competing for Team USA in a troubling time for many Americans I am now receiving a scary amount of hate/threats for simply using my voice WHEN ASKED about how I feel." Amber Glenn

What does honor mean as an American citizen? It means being true to the letter and the spirit of the founding principles of our nation. Every time, not just when it suits us.

Yesterday I was able to watch Amber Glenn receive her gold medal. I got choked up when the Star Spangled Banner was played as every member of our skating team stood on that podium.

It was an honor to hear that song. It is an honor to be an American citizen. It is our duty to honor the rights of every fellow citizen. With every right comes a responsibility. It is our duty to model the truth and honor we seek in every fellow American.

Written by T. O. Illustratio

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