Ahead of a recent Baltimore Orioles game, the national anthem was honored in a unique way. Hall-of-fame whistler Chris Ullman delivered a wordless rendition of the Star Spangled Banner before the Orioles went on to win 6-1 against the Red Sox.
Ullman reportedly has a number of accolades related to his impeccable whistling skills. He is a four-time international whistling champion and was inducted into the International Whistling Hall of Fame in 2012. Aside from his unique skill, Ullman has also led an extraordinary professional career in the private and public sectors.
“Chris Ullman is a communications professional, author, inspirational speaker, mentor, and champion whistler. He is president of Ullman Communications, a strategic advisory firm, and previously served as Director of Global Communications at The Carlyle Group, led communications at the White House Budget Office, ran the public affairs office at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and was spokesman for the U.S House Budget Committee,” his website reads.
Furthermore, Ullman’s performance at the professional baseball game pales in comparison to some of his more notable performances, such as whistling for George W. Bush and Dick Cheney in the White House during their administration.
His website adds, “The Chris is the Strategic Communications Expert in Residence at High Point University, a Senior Advisor at Narrative Strategies, and a Trustee of The Fund for American Studies. He earned his B.A. in political science from Binghamton University and is a four-time international whistling champion and member of the Whistlers Hall of Fame.”
In other news relating to the the national anthem and displays of patriotism, the American Tribune reported on recent comments from WNBA star Brittany Griner, who downplayed comments that she was unpatriotic for kneeling during the national anthem.
Griner stated, “The unpatriotic thing, that blows my mind, because, one, my dad fought for this country, ’68, ’69, Vietnam Marines and law enforcement for 30 plus years. Dad was my hero. I wanted to be a cop. I didn’t want to play basketball growing up, I wanted to be a cop and go into the military, actually. And doesn’t it make me more American that I’m demonstrating a protest? That’s my right as an American, so for me to be called un-American, I was blown away at that.” Watch the whistling performance here:
Giner maintained that the right to protest is a right that should be safeguarded, especially after her experience in the Russian penal system. “You have the right to protest, the right to able to speak out, question, challenge and do all these things,” she continued. “What I went through and everything, it just means a little bit more to me now. So I want to be able to stand. I was literally in a cage [in Russia] and could not stand the way I wanted to.”
However, upon returning to the United States, Griner appeared to have a newfound sense of patriotism. “Just being able to hear my national anthem, see my flag, I definitely want to stand. Now everybody that will not stand or not come out, I totally support them 100%. That’s our right as an American in this great country,” she added.
Note: The featured image is a screenshot from the embedded video.
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