In this day and age few things arouse my spirituality or move me like my love for America and Veterans (even those wild and crazy Navy pukes). The Star Spangled Banner always moved me as a child. As a Cub Scout, being allowed to bear the colors was akin to being given the keys to an F-100. That exhilaration could in no way be captured by mere words.

On the cusp of Veterans Day, it intensifies. While Memorial Day commemorates those who have borne the battle and fallen, Veterans Day thanks those who have heard that all but inaudible call to serve. I talked (email) recently with WGM about one thing or another and we reminisced about 40 years ago. He mentioned seeing Jimi Hendrix in concert before departing for the land of kimchee. I was also fortunate to have heard Jimi Hendrix as well as his version of the Anthem on Monday, August 18th, 1969 at a small music and arts festival in upstate New York.  I was preparing to return south to Virginia the next day for my inevitable AFEES date with the military and I had no idea he would perform it. He completely mesmerized the audience which was no small feat. In fact, virtually everyone around me rose to their feet and stood-something that is often sadly lacking in this day and age.

My faith in America has never been a flash in the pan. As an Air Force brat, I perennially got heavy doses of patriotism. There were always parades, the Thunderbirds aerial displays, and other gatherings that celebrated America’s greatness and military might.

The Fourth Stanza, to me, epitomizes what should be the First-most especially in the post-9/11 era. It would be interesting if celebrities memorized this one and sang it at NFL venues simply to put America on notice that there actually are multiple Stanzas to the greatest song ever written. Wouldn’t it be refreshing to hear…

O 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!

Perhaps in the brave, new, politically correct world of today the above would be too controversial because of its numerous references to God. This proclivity to avoid offending everybody is becoming obnoxious and overbearing.

Brownwater Jim sends us this new rendition of the world’s most well-known Anthem by a band named Madison Rising. The gentle beginning belies the raw power of the music and lyrics midpoint.  It arouses that same inner warmth of my childhood Cub Scout days. America is going through a period of self-doubt and confusion. I don’t think the current powers that be comprehend what is now needed to resurrect our Country’s supremacy in the world. My personal belief is that America just needs to get back to her roots that brought us the National Anthem in the first place. It was no fluke that Francis Scott Key’s memorable 1812 composition became our touchstone. It was written specifically to inspire us to become great and it admirably served its purpose. With America now seemingly drifting before the wind, perhaps it will provide direction once again. Our fate has always been inextricably intertwined with our strong belief in a higher Power as evidenced in this song’s innumerable mentions of Him. Perhaps it’s time to return to those roots and worry less about “offending” others’ religion. It seems the eastern world has no problem whatsoever denigrating our beliefs. Besides, our current foreign policy seems to be missing the mark.