Been a couple of months since I've blogged, and I apologize, but my life qualifies as a continuing saga worthy it's own Netflix special.
I'm going to take a liberty here, and interject my personal feelings in this post, so those that know me are deciding whether to stay tuned or change the channel, as I can be blunt sometimes. But I believe in honesty, and being your "authentic self," which isn't always popular.
Below, I posted a link to the first time "God Bless America" was broadcast over the airways. Beautiful song, wonderful video (and an early appearance from one of my favorite Presidents, Ronald Reagan). I also included one of my favorite renditions of the Battle Hymn of the Republic, performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. And I don't know why it takes a huge sporting event to get the National Anthem publicly sang, but enjoy the top 10 favorite performers who sang praise to the "stars and stripes."
I love America. So much, in fact, that whenever I hear these songs, watch my flag curl and snap in the breeze, and see images of the sacrifices made so I can write blogs, pray openly to God, read whatever I want, and dress the way my heart desires (or body demands), without government interference, I cry. My heart swells with emotion. This land--this country--was created from the blood shed by all of our forefathers that soaked the battlegrounds. The tears of of our ancestors' endurance through hardship and loss, runs in the rivers and streams. The Pledge of Allegiance is something I proud to say, not embarrassed by. My right hand feels comfortable over my heart when I see the American flag, and I literally rage when I see the "stars and stripes" disrespected or burned.
Monday is July 4th. Our nation's birthday. How many of you will pause to recognize the significance of this day? Do your children know the Pledge of Allegiance? How to show respect when the flag passes or raised? Can you sing them the National Anthem? Or are you just going to do the parade, picnic, and fireworks without acknowledging the truth? If you are a citizen of this great nation, here's your "call to action." Step up and show that you are proud to be an American, especially if it's not the popular thing to do. Your children need to know how this country came to be, and the sacrifices that are constantly being made to ensure they enjoy freedoms the rest of the world covets. War will always be a part of our life because there are those who want to take away our rights to drive a car anywhere we want; worship any deity of our choosing; vote for our leaders; dress, for better or worse, the way we desire; attend schools; pursue any dream our heart wants. The power is within each of us to stop those trying to change our Constitution, take our freedoms, and change our nation to fit their purpose.
We are called the world's sanctuary and guardian angel for a reason. We believe in freedom, the right to choose, and our strength comes from core values of those not sitting in the White House, but those working the farm fields, parenting in the home, teaching despite the pay scale, working long hours on assembly lines, and spending countless hours as civil servants, soldiers, and volunteers. WE are the heart of America, and it's time to check for a patriotic heartbeat.
I believe in God, in this country, and the cornerstones its foundation is built on, and if that offends someone, I'm sorry, but not for what I believe or my public declaration. I'm sorry for whatever, or whoever, happened in your life that closed your heart. I think our children should stand every morning in class and recite the Pledge of Allegiance with hand over heart and facing the American flag--our country's symbol of freedom. And if you forgot the words to our national anthem, here they are. I dare you to close your eyes and picture yourself on the battlefield that morning and "feel" your reaction to finding the flag still flying, riveted with holes, but still flapping in the wind. Surrender wasn't an option then, so why should it be one today?
THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER
Written in 1814 by Francis Scott Key, who'd been inspired by the sight of the American flag still flying over Fort McHenry after a night of heavy British bombardment. The text was immediately set to a popular melody at the time, "To Anacreon in Heaven."
Made up of 4 verses, the first verse is usually the only one sang.
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 thru 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?
On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave'
From the terror of flight and the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Have a blessed, free, safe, and wonderful July 4th!
https://www.facebook.com/ae15dave/videos/1091093530911371/
http://ijr.com/2014/07/153831-10-best-renditions-star-spangled-banner-prove-still-one-beautiful
https://youtu.be/QSiVjlknuSw
I'm going to take a liberty here, and interject my personal feelings in this post, so those that know me are deciding whether to stay tuned or change the channel, as I can be blunt sometimes. But I believe in honesty, and being your "authentic self," which isn't always popular.
Below, I posted a link to the first time "God Bless America" was broadcast over the airways. Beautiful song, wonderful video (and an early appearance from one of my favorite Presidents, Ronald Reagan). I also included one of my favorite renditions of the Battle Hymn of the Republic, performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. And I don't know why it takes a huge sporting event to get the National Anthem publicly sang, but enjoy the top 10 favorite performers who sang praise to the "stars and stripes."
I love America. So much, in fact, that whenever I hear these songs, watch my flag curl and snap in the breeze, and see images of the sacrifices made so I can write blogs, pray openly to God, read whatever I want, and dress the way my heart desires (or body demands), without government interference, I cry. My heart swells with emotion. This land--this country--was created from the blood shed by all of our forefathers that soaked the battlegrounds. The tears of of our ancestors' endurance through hardship and loss, runs in the rivers and streams. The Pledge of Allegiance is something I proud to say, not embarrassed by. My right hand feels comfortable over my heart when I see the American flag, and I literally rage when I see the "stars and stripes" disrespected or burned.
Monday is July 4th. Our nation's birthday. How many of you will pause to recognize the significance of this day? Do your children know the Pledge of Allegiance? How to show respect when the flag passes or raised? Can you sing them the National Anthem? Or are you just going to do the parade, picnic, and fireworks without acknowledging the truth? If you are a citizen of this great nation, here's your "call to action." Step up and show that you are proud to be an American, especially if it's not the popular thing to do. Your children need to know how this country came to be, and the sacrifices that are constantly being made to ensure they enjoy freedoms the rest of the world covets. War will always be a part of our life because there are those who want to take away our rights to drive a car anywhere we want; worship any deity of our choosing; vote for our leaders; dress, for better or worse, the way we desire; attend schools; pursue any dream our heart wants. The power is within each of us to stop those trying to change our Constitution, take our freedoms, and change our nation to fit their purpose.
We are called the world's sanctuary and guardian angel for a reason. We believe in freedom, the right to choose, and our strength comes from core values of those not sitting in the White House, but those working the farm fields, parenting in the home, teaching despite the pay scale, working long hours on assembly lines, and spending countless hours as civil servants, soldiers, and volunteers. WE are the heart of America, and it's time to check for a patriotic heartbeat.
I believe in God, in this country, and the cornerstones its foundation is built on, and if that offends someone, I'm sorry, but not for what I believe or my public declaration. I'm sorry for whatever, or whoever, happened in your life that closed your heart. I think our children should stand every morning in class and recite the Pledge of Allegiance with hand over heart and facing the American flag--our country's symbol of freedom. And if you forgot the words to our national anthem, here they are. I dare you to close your eyes and picture yourself on the battlefield that morning and "feel" your reaction to finding the flag still flying, riveted with holes, but still flapping in the wind. Surrender wasn't an option then, so why should it be one today?
THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER
Written in 1814 by Francis Scott Key, who'd been inspired by the sight of the American flag still flying over Fort McHenry after a night of heavy British bombardment. The text was immediately set to a popular melody at the time, "To Anacreon in Heaven."
Made up of 4 verses, the first verse is usually the only one sang.
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 thru 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?
On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave'
From the terror of flight and the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Have a blessed, free, safe, and wonderful July 4th!
https://www.facebook.com/ae15dave/videos/1091093530911371/
http://ijr.com/2014/07/153831-10-best-renditions-star-spangled-banner-prove-still-one-beautiful
https://youtu.be/QSiVjlknuSw
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