Let Us Stand United Again

This morning I realized that a whole generation may not know why we stand for our flag. As the Pledge of Allegiance disappears from the daily routines in our schools, and when it is spoken, we no longer expect every student to stand in honor of America and the freedoms that we hold. I thought it might be good to pass on the importance of this tradition. So to all of you who have missed it, here are some of the reasons we stand.

We stand for the uncle who lost his whole unit when a bomb exploded under his tank, leaving him faceless. Numerous surgeries and skin grafts until he said; “No more.”

We stand for those who never spoke of war because the memories were too painful to relive. But if they did, they would tell horror stories about flying into clouds of destruction and enemy fire to rescue the injured and gather dead bodies.

We stand for those sent into the tunnels to destroy the enemy’s hiding places. They came home from war but it’s nightmares were relived until they saw heaven.

We stand for the nurses who tried to help every single soldier. Many times, they would silently hold the hands of a dying soldier and pray. Maybe they sang “The Old Rugged Cross” to remind them of the Savior who stood ready to grasp their hands.

We stand for ones who fled their country of horrors to come to this land of the free. Leaving behind a regime that killed parents, but by His grace they made it to America.

We stand for the night that rockets thunderously bombed, their fiery glare lighting up the skies; as the British attempted to take over Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland, America in 1812. When morning finally came, Frances Scott Key was surprised. As dawn began to light up the sky, Key expected to see the British flag prominently displaying their victory. Instead, he saw that the American Flag, though tattered and torn, was still standing! No doubt that Key was filled with gratitude as he wrote about that night. His poetry became an overnight hit. Put to the music written by John Stafford Smith, To Anacreon in Heaven. Early versions titled this new song; “Defence of Fort McHenry”. This song of victory would become our National Anthem.

Next time you celebrate with fireworks, be thoughtful of a time when those fireworks in the skies over Fort McHenry were not a celebration. But of men who battled for America as the British Army sent a slew of rockets over their land. They fought through the night for the freedoms that you and I enjoy. When you have the privilege to stand, hold your hand over your heart in thankfulness. Remember, freedom isn’t free. The price was costly; paid by those who have stood in the gap for you and me. Next time you face the American Flag in a parade, or at an event, may you stand. Because today we are free. But be on alert, the enemy seeks to steal that freedom.

“O! Say, can you see?

By the dawn’s early light.

What so proudly we hailed as 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.

O! Say does that star spangled banner yet wave, o’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?”

*The Kennedy Center; https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/resources-for-educators/classroom-resources/media-and-interactives/media/music/story-behind-the-song/the-story-behind-the-song/the-star-spangled-banner/