I've been away for some time now and as I went through my email list I came across this one that I felt was worth every American's time to read. I love to share info on things I think are interesting I hope you feel this is one of them.
We all hear the National Anthem at ballgames throughout our country and some of us sing and others don't. When you read this I will guess most will choose to sing really loud!
I have never been a great student of American history but I enjoy knowing little known facts about many things. Most of us know that the "Star-Spangled Banner" was written by Francis Scott Key. We learn this in grade school and may or may not remember it as we age. I did not know that he was a lawyer. I also did not know that he was sent by the colonist army to negotiate for the release of prisoners being held offshore by the British who we were engaged in conflict with at the time. He was in negotiation with the British Admiral for a one on one release of the prisoners when the Admiral told him that it really wouldn't matter much because after that night, the British would be the victors of the battle and the men would be free and under the rule of the winning Bristish army. The Admiral stated that your people will surrender or your Fort Henry upon the rampart yonder will be bombarded with gunfire. He pointed to the hundreds of twinkling lights scattered upon the waterfront of Baltimore and let Key know that those were hundreds of British ships waiting for the signal to fire when needed. He said to stop that from happening, all they need do is lower the flag waving above the fort and surrender. Francis told the admiral that the fort held mostly women and children and was not mostly a war fort at the time. He went below to tell the men of the situation. They were in chains and a sorry looking lot at that. He heard from the men that their main concern was at what position that flag was waving. As the firing upon the fort took place at dusk, the haze of the gunfire and unrelentless noise was overwhelming for Mr.Key. He continually checked below to give the men a constant update as to where their beloved flag was positioned. As the hours passed the admiral came to show his amazement that with all the army firepower, the flag had not faltered he commented the colonists were insane and that he didn't understand their unwavering behaviour in light of their dire circumstances. Mr.Key shared with him a quote from George Washington, " What sets the American Christian apart from all others is this, he will die on his feet before he will die on his knee." The admiral scoffed and walked away. Francis walked near the cargo hold to hear an unceasing hum of prisoners praying that their God would keep their flag flying where we last saw it. Amazingly at twilight , the flag had still withstood the gunfire of the entire British fleet. When Mr. Key approached the fort and surveyed the sight he was inspired by what he saw. The remnants of Old Glory had indeed been hit and the pole from which it hung was a bit awkward in its angle, but no less held high. Shredded and tattered, it was still the symbol for freedom that the colonists had risked everything to defend. The pole was held up with the fallen bodies of those farmers and everyday men who when one was dead, another reached up to take his place, ensuring the flag yet still waved. As the haze and smoke of the battle dispersed it was clear that through the sacrifices of those men the flag has withstood and had not waned. Thus he was inspired to write the song we learn as children and still sing as adults today:
"Oh say can you see, by the dawn's early light, what so proudly we hailed at the twilights' last gleaming.
Whose brought stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight, o'er the ramparts we watched were so galantly 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."
I suspect that the next time you hear this played it will be oh so more meaningful and heart felt than perhaps it was before you read this. Remember Freedom is never really Free!
Hugs,Jan
you may choose this option as number two........before you make your decision, read the following email I received from a dear friend who found it in her emails as well.
