Oh! say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh! say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

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How Beautiful is this song? 

How I wish that we the American People were more respectful of our flag.  Our Flag stands for peace, honor, truth, and justice.  It also stands for FREEDOM! 

The Star Spangled Banner is played each night over at the ballpark, just prior to the games starting.  I think this is a wonderful thing and I would like to say how proud I am that the league takes the time to do this.

However, just recently I was at the ballpark waiting on the start of one of the kids games.  The announcement was made for us to stand for the playing of the National Anthem.  As I looked around, there were children running around and a couple were riding their scooters.  Even though people were standing, these kids never slowed down enough to notice that honor was being given to the flag.

I observed that many people never placed their hands over their hearts, and few (if any) made any attempt to sing the National Anthem.  This is very sad!  I feel that it is my responsiblity as an American to not only, honor the flag, but to sing and let those words sink down into my heart.   The 6th line of the song says that the flag was proof that our flag was still there.  Do you have any idea what this means.  It means FREEDOM for us.........

How can any American just stand there?  No matter what kind of tune you can carry, this is a song that needs to be sung by ALL of us.  We need to teach our children the importance of the National Anthem and of our American Flag...The only way that they will learn to show respect is by seeing their parents give respect. 

Please make a conscious effort to not take our flag for granted.  Please make a conscious effort to sing the words of this beautiful song that has such a deep meaning.

God Bless America!!


Shug..............

Thank you God for our Freedom..