At the Bell County Commissioners Court meeting on Monday, a group of local residents voiced their concerns after the court decided to stop playing the Star Spangled Banner before its sessions. The tradition, which had been in place for several years, was quietly discontinued, prompting citizens to attend the meeting and request its reinstatement. Many attendees expressed that the national anthem is a symbol of unity and patriotism, and they felt its absence was a disservice to the community.
County Judge David Blackburn explained that the decision was made to streamline the meetings and that there was no intention to disrespect the anthem or its significance. However, after hearing the passionate feedback from the public, the commissioners agreed to reconsider the policy. The court will discuss the matter further at a future meeting, with several members indicating they are open to bringing back the Star Spangled Banner as part of the court’s proceedings.
Click to read the original Star-Spangled Banner article.