The Star Spangled Banner

With each fireworks display, I am reminded of the reason for fireworks beyond that of entertainment: the reminder of war. In the "Star Spangled Banner," prisoner-of-war Francis Scott Key wrote of what he saw from the decks of a British warship as it fired upon Fort McKinley - "The rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air." Key wrote of what he saw, but what is not written is the reality of the men within the forts ramparts. War, the reality of war, cannot be captured in prose, in pictures, or in movies. It is one of those things beyond our ability to fully comprehend unless we are one of the unfortunate few who has lived through it, or one of those precious few who did not. The walls of Fort McKinley may have withstood the nightlong attack from the British, but some of her men did not. The resiliency of the human body is negated by shrapnel and cannon balls, by lack of food and fresh water, and by sickness and fatigue.

We, as a nation, survived that long night along with a flag that so stubbornly refused to lower. We survived in countless other battles, skirmishes, and struggles. We survived, not just with seasoned troops, but troops made from farmers, hunters, shopkeepers, and blacksmiths. We survived by people much like ourselves.

Every year a newspaper or magazine article appears whose goal is to reintroduce the idea of replacing the national anthem with "America the Beautiful". The reasons are valid: the "Star Spangled Banner" is hard to remember, and harder to sing. It requires a vocal range most people cannot attain. "America the Beautiful" is easier to teach, easier to sing, and its lyrics well known. But this country is not built on "easy"; it is built on the hardships of those that came before us. It is built on lost lives, lost arms and legs, lost husbands, sons, wives, and daughters. It is built on perseverance and commitment. It is built on love of country and love for each other.

If the national anthem is hard to learn, then listen to it more often - reiteration is a great teacher. If it is beyond your range, then sing it within your range; sing it for country, sing it for yourself, for those you love, and for those non-professional soldiers who fought for you. Sing it from your heart, whether well or poor; sing it with pride and without expectations of acceptance. Sing it.