With all the turmoil that is continuing in the front and back lines in the news today I can’t help but fondly remember a wonderful compliment that was given to my wife and I about our four children which occurred about 10 years ago while at a Vermont Sugarloaf FDNY ski trip.  This is put together annually by a fellow FDNY Retired Officer Vinny Savarese, who by the way deserves kudos for all the wonderful years of memories he has helped create for many families. But back to the subject of ‘Honor & Respect’ this experience took place on the traditional second evening of the trip called the ‘Welcoming Night” held at the Sugarloaf Mtn restaurant “The Bag & Kettle”. It begins with honoring all those who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty and especially brothers and sisters who died at 9-11 or related illnesses. After the introductions and honorary ceremony the ‘Star Spangled Banner’ is played and sung. Of course out of respect for our flag and country all stand. We of course followed suit. However just as the song began I noticed my son (who was only 11 years old at the time) had stood with his Mets baseball cap still on. I immediately nudged him and leaned over telling him to remove it and hold it at chest level. Little did I know that anyone noticed. After the song was finished a fireman whom I did not know and was standing near us turned to me, shook my hand, thanking me for having my children stand respectfully but more so having my son remove his hat. He further commented that so many young ones today don’t have even that much respect for our country and flagto remove their hat or never mind stand quietly. He continued adding that it was a pleasure to see some children and their parents do so. I never forgot that and neither did my children. With all the disrespect shown today to officials never mind our former President (who had his speech so brazenly torn up behind his back in the House of Representatives) maybe we could take a small lesson from this in that when one wants to be heard and is looking for changes, they should do so respectfully. Remember the old saying ‘You get more bees with honey than anything else’ instead of blow smoking at them which drives away them away. Don’t this apply in so many ways?