Editor:

It was with great eagerness and interest as I watched the unfolding of the 2008 Olympics.

The greatest athletes in the world in competition. Records broken, great performances. Some tasting the thrill of victory and others the agony of defeat.

Who can forget the incredible performances of Michael Phelps, Lightning Bolt, the women's beach volley ball to name just a few. And the men's basketball team - they put aside their egos and played as a team. And to a man, stood at attention, hands over their hearts as our flag was raised and our national anthem played.

But one thing sticks in my mind on a sour note. The American 4 by 400 meter relay team didn't see fit to honor America by placing their hands over their hearts as our national anthem was played. Maybe they just didn't remember who sent them to China. Maybe for their next competition, they should wear plain white, pay their own way.

In my mind they don't deserve to wear the red white and blue and represent our country, if they can't respect those who sent them to China.

Proud to be an American.

AL PALMER, Edgerton