I am one of the local volunteers for the 2008 Junior Gold Championships in Detroit.  I just returned home from the opening ceremonies.  I was very disappointed that our flag was NOT displayed and our national anthem was NOT performed.  This is a NATIONAL championship event; we should have had the opportunity to show proper pride and respect for our nation.  Where were the stars and stripes?  Where was The Star-Spangled Banner?

weebsurferdude, no national anthem before the start of each squad on opening day?  That's a given in local, state and national association tournaments, in national the anthems for teams from other countries also played as should be done in the Junior Gold if there are entrants from other countries.

Don Gates

Monday, the first day of competition at three different centers simultaneously, they had the anthem at the start of each squad.  On Sunday, the official opening ceremonies were held in a concert amphitheatre on a university campus with all of the athletes from all three centers invited—the flag and the anthem were both AWOL.

Shame on the United States Bowling Congress for allowing that to happen on Sunday.

E.Chase

I did notice that also. I believe they should have done it before all of the states were announced. The whole opening ceremonies was kind of iffy. I think it was a waste of money and noticed a lot of people left early. I also do not understand why the national anthem was only played at the begining of two of the squads? I could have seen only the first or all three, but two?