Despite a report to the contrary, no, members of the U.S. women's national soccer team did not turn their backs on a World War II veteran during his playing of the national anthem.
On Monday, a Montreal-based conservative publication, The Post Millenial, claimed members of the team were facing away from 98-year-old World War II veteran Pete DuPre while the veteran played the national anthem on his harmonica, calling it "disgraceful behaviour," prior to the start of the team's July 5 friendly contest against Mexico. The U.S. won 4-0.
The team was quick to respond to the claim, stating that many were turned toward the flag at the other end of the stadium. Some members remained facing straight ahead, looking in the same direction as DuPre.
Not true. No one turned their back on WWII Veteran Pete DuPré during tonight's anthem. Some USWNT players were simply looking at the flag on a pole in one end of the stadium. The players all love Pete, thanked him individually after the game and signed a ball for him.
— U.S. Soccer Comms (@ussoccer_comms) July 6, 2021
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Star forward Carli Lloyd weighed in as well, noting that they turned because they faced the flag, not away from it or DuPre.
We turned because we faced the flag 🇺🇸 https://t.co/1JJHUWGCLv
— Carli Lloyd (@CarliLloyd) July 6, 2021
Following the conclusion of the game, the team met up with DuPre to collectively sign a soccer ball for him. The U.S. Soccer Comms also noted in a separate tweet that "no one turned their back on WWII Veteran Pete DuPré during tonight's anthem."
"Some USWNT players were simply looking at the flag on a pole in one end of the stadium. The players all love Pete, thanked him individually after the game and signed a ball for him," the tweet read.
❤️🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/JEDm92H0bf
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 6, 2021
