Kaepernick should remember all who sacrificed for him

Colin Kaepernick, a multimillionaire black has-been football player, refuses to stand during the national anthem in protest of the way, in his mind, his people are mistreated in this country, and he states that he refuses to honor the flag that represents such a terrible country. By doing so, he has become a heroic icon to many misguided people who are thrilled to see him exercise his constitutional right of free speech, even if they disagree with what he said.

Kaepernick should be reminded that over 300,000 mostly white union soldiers perished in the Civil War in order to set his people free. And they carried the American flag into battle as they died for Mr. K and his fellow African Americans.

And I witnessed many white casualties protecting his constitutional right to embarrass himself, in the bloodiest battle of the Pacific, Okinawa, in World War II. Shame on him and shame on those who praise him.

Gene Maril

Arlington Heights