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Oh Say Can YOU See
Time after time we stand up, take off our hats, yawn, look at our watches, and sing every 6th or 7th word to the Star Spangle Banner. We do it at ball games, patriotic gatherings and political events. We even break out the old stars and stripes at a good old fashion tractor- pull. We do not seem to need much of a reason to break out in song, when it comes to our National Anthem. But, other than singing as much as we know of it, most of us now look at it as a ritual that must occur before the games starts.
In fact, recently some have advocated putting the anthem to rest except for some very special events. Those in favor of this practice claim that hearing it less frequently will make people appreciate the song even more. Even those who would never be a part of this move are seldom struck emotionally based on the performance of the anthem. It is more of "Okay...that's great... play ball!!" In a time where our patriotism is being attacked, we should not sing it less. Quite the contrary, we should sing it more. I do not mean at more ball games or political barbeques. I mean teaching the song to our kids as a form of appreciation for our country's heritage. Some kids are still struggling with the pledge of allegiance, especially those areas where the courts have decided that it should not be said in school, and America The Beautiful...forget about it! Although improved since 9-11, patriotism has taken a giant step backwards as to what we teach our kids. And then we wonder why our kids seem to have such little regard for historical issues. Now, more than ever, we need to instill a strong sense of civics into our kid's curriculum. It will be difficult for our kids, when they become adults, to rally around all those things that are American if they do not even know what those things are.
But, all is not lost. I was so impressed with the 2004 Summer Olympics. In a year where our athletes were told not to celebrate too much because we did not want to bring too much attention to our country, (which is another topic for another day) it was refreshing to see the athlete's expressions as they stood on the pedestal as the National Anthem was played. They seemed proud, they seemed humbled and they even seemed to know the words. Some seemed happy; some seemed to be in shock. They came from many different ethnic backgrounds. They were this and they were that, but above all else, they were Americans and they seemed proud to be Americans. Hallelujah! Imagine, America's youth who are actually proud to be Americans. What a novel idea.
But, the voids that we have seen over the years are not to be blamed on our kids. We have become a society of complacency, one that takes America's greatness for granted. We forget that if it was not for the efforts of our forefathers, which are talked about in the Star Spangled Banner's lyrics, that there would not even be a ball game. If it was not for our parents, and their parents, and so on and so on, teaching us the things that we needed to know and instilling the knowledge of recognition of what our country had been through, perhaps the patriotism needed to win two world wars and other conflicts would not have been there. Now it is time for us to pass this knowledge on. We need to talk to our kids about why it is great to be American, we need to tell them of all the sacrifices that so many have made so that their lives will be better. We need to teach them of the respect that this heritage deserves. We must teach them the things that are needed, so that when the time comes for them to make the necessary sacrifices, it will be an easy decision. And yes, we need to sing the Star Spangle Banner.
For further information, visit www.voice4victims.com
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