The Star Spangled Banner

from Fireworks in North Andover, MA So a little known fact about me, I love the Star Spangled Banner. Or more accurately I love the poem, "Defence of Fort McHenry," written by Francis Scott Key in 1814 as the Flag continued to fly after a night of bombardment by the British Navy. The song was actually a British drinking song which was acquired later to become our national anthem. But as a child, I had a cherished book the history of this important song. Not the history of Scott Key or the drinking song which make this anthem. It was a book from Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia with the words of the song matched in pictures to the story behind America's creation and survival of the 1812 war. The book captivated my mind and gave life to this poem that to many just say at sporting events. Is a beautiful ode and homage to our country through the story of our flag. I have to admit that when I hear it I think to those amazing precious moments when our country was founded, to the moments when my family fought for freedom in this country to freedom for our country in wars abroad. And just as the little kid sitting in the back of the car flipping through the pages amazed at the story behind our anthem, the rendition still stirs that excitement and amazement to all we have built together. So much sacrifice represented in this important song and so much promise to be proud of. RSS