When does school spirit cross the line into blind patriotism?

Over the past couple weeks, students and faculty have been encouraged to purchase camouflage t-shirts for $12 to support veterans on “Veterans Appreciation Night,” which will take place at the home football game on October 9th. The shirts read “Salute Our Troops” and show an American flag. Also, for the home game on September 11th, football players wore jerseys with camouflage numbers and military insignia patches.

Unfortunately, it is easy to get caught up in a crowd mentality when it comes to military pride, especially when it becomes a way to express school pride. In the PR Superfans section, if you don’t match the theme, you stand out. But why is camo a sensitive idea in a sports setting?

Camouflage represents more than just support for a football team. Camouflage represents military combat situations. Think about it: when a soldier is experiencing war, that’s what he or she is wearing. War is not a football game; it is a frightening life-or-death situation. And for this reason, there are actually differing views among veterans on the appropriateness of camouflage in a spectator sports environment. Some military personnel actually do not feel respected and honored when camouflage is worn at a game. Instead, some are reminded of the horrors of war, and others see a shallow display of nationalism.

Of course, not all veterans feel this way. Many veterans are glad to know that average citizens really care about their struggle, even through something as simple as donning a supportive t-shirt. However, it is important to remember how all veterans feel and exactly what we are supporting and celebrating when we engage in these displays of military pride. The United States is involved in several foreign conflicts today, including in Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and other countries, and the experiences of military members and civilians in these countries are not a thing of the past.

Ultimately, in recognizing the sacrifices of veterans, we need to be cautious not to confuse school spirit with a casual spirit of blind patriotism.