Jerry Davich

Metro columnist

Do you stand in public when the country song “God Bless the USA” is played?

On Friday night, I attended the Woofstock 2025 event at Central Park Plaza in Valparaiso. The band on stage, South of 30, opened its set with that song, released in 1984 by Lee Greenwood.

From my vantage point at the rear edge of the park, far from the stage, I watched a few people stand up as the song was performed by band members Valerie Gardner, Kevin Gardner and Larry Mysliwiec.

“And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free / And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me / And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today / ‘Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land / God bless the USA,” its star-spangled lyrics state.

I watche

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