You couldn’t make this stuff up, even if you tried.

Did you hear the one about this year’s graduation ceremony at the United States Naval Academy? There, our newly elected President opted to end a Navy tradition that dates back since the dawn of time, or at least the dawning of the Naval Academy.

At the U.S.N.A. graduation this year, the United States Secret Service – perhaps acting on orders from you know who – ordered graduating Midshipmen to leave their ceremonial swords at home.

As part of their full dress white uniforms, commissioned officers in the Navy carry a sword. Those swords, a long-standing US Navy tradition, are seen as a “badge of office” earned by these officers.

Ceremonial swords never seemed to bother the Secret Service of any previous President in attendance at U.S.N.A. commencement exercises. Apparently, President Obama thought differently. I can’t assume what he was thinking, but perhaps thoughts of a skewer crossed his mind at some point.

And guess what? It appears the prez took this “pointy object” thing a bit further as umbrellas were also banned from the U.S.N.A. graduation.

Us rednecks down here in the south, and throughout the nation for that matter, take pride in tradition. We appreciate what our military does in their efforts to protect the freedoms we enjoy.

Without a military, just give me a dozen or so rednecks to protect my back should I come face to face with terrorists. Tire irons, squirrel guns and grit, that’s what rednecks are made of.

So, with all due respect to Mr. Redneck himself – Jeff Foxworthy – here’s some new “You might be a Redneck” sayings that apply in today’s world.

You might be a redneck if…..

It never occurred to you to be offended by the phrase, ‘One nation, under God.’

You’ve never protested about seeing the 10 Commandments posted in public places.

You still say ‘ Christmas’ instead of ‘Winter Festival.’

You bow your head when someone prays.

You stand, remove your John Deere cap, and place your hand over your heart when they play the National Anthem. And you remain quite the entire time the anthem is performed.

You treat our armed forces veterans with

great respect, and always have.

You’ve never burned an American flag, nor do you intend to.

You know what you believe and you aren’t afraid to say so, no matter who is listening.

You respect your elders and raised your kids to do the same.

You’d give your last dollar to a friend.

God bless the USA and all the traditions we still believe in….no matter what the President thinks!

Cal Bryant is Editor of the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald and Gates County Index. He can be reached at cal.bryant@r-cnews.com or 252-332-7207.