There was a sense of unbridled patriotism at Saturday’s game, evident during a moment of silence and the singing of “God Bless America.”

It got confusing, however, when the ISU Marching Band played songs from musicals in commemoration of past American wars.

To remember the veterans of the Korean War, “Old Man River” from “Showboat,” was played, a musical that tells the tale of a gambling boat on the Mississippi River. We didn’t see a connection.

Then, to commemorate the Vietnam War, “Aquarius” from “Hair” was chosen. What better way to honor war veterans than to play a song from a blatantly anti-war musical?

It was “Iowa State Veterans Day” and we know it was necessary to honor war veterans, but if the marching band was going to be a part of that, the least they could have done was chosen appropriate music.

editorialboard: Andrea Hauser, Tim Paluch, Michelle Kann, Zach Calef, Omar Tesdell