Our Flag..........of the United States of America

July 05, 2012

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 thro’ the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's 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?

Our National Anthem!!!!!!!! I love it when I go to a sports event, concert, rodeo, or any event and someone sings the National Anthem. It always sends shivers down my spine. I don't know if kids learn to say the Pledge of Allegiance any more, but I feel they should.

"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America,
and to the Republic for which it stands:
One Nation under God, indivisible,
With Liberty and Justice for all."

MCPL has books on flags and several caught my eye: National Anthems from Around the World: the Official National Anthems, Flags, and Anthem Histories from 56 Countries, Visual Guide to the Flags of the World by V.S. De Kleer, and Flags of the Fifty States and Their Incredible Histories by Randolph Howe.

What does our flag mean to you? I think it stands for: Our Freedom, Our Troops who fight for our freedom every day, our firefighters who sacrifice sometimes their lives to save ours, our paramedics who help us in our times of need when we are hurt or not feeling well, our police officers who try to help us in situations that are harmful or trying to keep the crime off the streets, and our nurses and doctors who give us the care we need when we are sick. I know that I always think about our flag when the 4th of July comes around, and it makes me think of all these people in this world who try and make it better for the rest of us. Next time you hear the National Anthem or see our flag waving in the breeze, think about what it means to you. Happy Waving!!!!

Kathy S.
Raytown Branch