The “Star Spangled Banner” holds more than words that proclaim the anthem of this nation. The hope of a country can be found embedded in the verses of the song.
The radio theater broadcast from Adventures in Odyssey was playing on the radio as I drove. I got caught up in the story of the Revolutionary War and the Battle at Fort McHenry. The sounds and voices carried me back to that day and I felt the emotion of the dawn breaking and the light shining down on the Stars and Stripes. “Dawn’s Early Light” brought me to tears, and from that day forward the “Star Spangled Banner” did as well.
This morning I was reminded that the one verse most of us learn in school and sing at ball games does not even begin to touch on the story.
Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thru 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?
On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream:
Tis the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps’ pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory 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!
Knowing the history of our songs, our government and our people will help us continue to live the life of freedom and unity held in this amazing song! May the words from so many years ago inspire you for today.
Mommy Patriots are just a few of the patriots that are taking a stand from all walks of life and from all corners of the country. These people are waking up to their responsibility for this land and for the future of the children.
Glenn Beck may have been one of the ones lighting the flame originally, but the ordinary people (maybe even the ones living next door to you right now) like the Sisterhood of the Mommy Patriots, are the patriots that are spreading the word that this country is ours and we have to take responsibility for its directions.
Any time spent watching the news might cause depression or at least the feeling of loneliness. It seems that no one thinks like I do. Many people have spent the last several years hiding their personal beliefs in an attempt to make life a little easier for them and for their family.
The time for a smooth ride is over. Mommy Patriots, Daddy Patriots and Children Patriots are coming together to give notice that they will be quiet no more.
The Sisterhood of the Mommy Patriots is just one of the outcomes from all that Glenn Beck has been talking back. These are mommies that have felt alone but are beginning to recognize that there are other Mommy Patriots out there. These Mommy Patriots are connecting through the internet and even local Tea Parties to discover that they are not alone and there is strength and power in numbers.
Mommy Patriot Sites
As A Mom is the main Patriot Mommy site and it also supports the 9-12 Project that was first ignited by Glenn Beck. It is “Network of principled mothers, grandmothers, daughters, & guardians of our nation’s children dedicated to the 9 Principles & 12 Values.”
Mommy Patriots and the other patriots that are fueling the Tea Party movements, the 9-12 Project and other ideas are concerned about the direction of the country. It will be interesting to see if the politicians hear their concern and act on it or wait for the full force of the Mommy Patriots to move from sea to shining sea.
The last several months I have talked to friends and family members about what is going on with the government. Before the election in 2008, I had even started this blog to talk about all things political.
The actions of the government or the tales that have been told about blogs and internet in general pulled me back. The what ifs put a hold on my speech. I had enough on my plate without causing more stress through my opinions (and I have LOTS of them).
It has only been in the last few days that I have decided to not hold back any more. I can not tell my kids to do all that they can do and refuse to do that myself. It is time for me to stand up and speak my heart and mind and let the chips fall where they may.
3 Rants on Government that I have Held Back
1. President Obama thinks that children are not learning because they are not spending enough days in school. The truth is that teachers are being forced to teach for tests and not for education. Home school and private school children learn more in less time and for less money.
2. The government is getting too involved with my personal life. A mother, just helping out the neighbors, got in trouble for watching the neighborhood children until the school bus arrived to pick them up. This rant also includes neighbors who are too nosey for their own good because one of the neighbors had to have called and made a complaint.
3. There are so many issues when it comes to the government “fixing” the health care system that I’m not sure where to start. The truth is that most people have health care that they want and those who do not can find health care if they make choices to get that health care.
This is only the beginning. There are so many things that we need to talk about when it comes to our daily life. The government needs to hear what we have to say. I am still a bit nervous – I must confess – but I am stepping out.
The nomination for the Supreme Court Justice has been named and Bill O’Reilly was discussing Sonya Sotomayor on his show last night. The conversation turned to the base of the Republican Party and how if Republicans fought the nomination – even on the basis that she believes the appellate court is where legislation is made – that the Republican Party would suffer.
There has been so much babbling about dwindling Republican Party (I’ve only heard Glenn Beck discuss the dwindling of BOTH the Republican and Democrat Parties). The truth is that is shouldn’t matter about the parties. The Legislative Branch answers to the state and to the people – NOT to the parties.
Something has to give. When people are no longer able to say what they understand based on facts of law (and not feelings or emotions) then there is a problem. People have been raising their voices to the sky with “Tea Parties” and other types of protest. Those in the ruling class (the press, the congress, the state governments) better start listening.
Bill O’Reilly is wrong. Those men and women that feel Sotomayor is a bad choice for the Supreme Court should reveal the facts. There may be no way to STOP the truck – as was mentioned several times on Bill O’Reilly’s “The O’Reilly Factor” – but it may be slowed down just enough that the truck doesn’t do as much damage.
The other night I watched a movie from the Hallmark Channel about a lady that saved orphans during World War II. I was moved by the fact that one woman was able to make such a difference. Then it dawned on me that often times it is just one voice, one person, or one family that takes that extra step and makes the impact that moves the world. The truth is that we should all be that one person.
One Life CAN Make a Difference
1. Your life is not perfect, I get that. There may be clothes piled up (clean or dirty doesn’t make a difference if they are still piled up). You may be struggling with running late, being unorganized or some other habit that tends to slow down the process. There will always be a reason or excuse NOT to get involved but you have to push through to make a difference.
2. You may not be in a position of authority, but you can write to your congressmen and senators. You can sit down with your family and discuss the issues that you are passionate about. You can take some time to LEARN what the issues are. Knowledge is a empowering and the tongue is the only offensive weapon in the arsenal (according to Ephesians 6).
3. You may be very busy in your own life (especially if you have children that are into extra activities). It only takes five minutes to call up a friend, send a nice note or let another person go before you in line. Would you be willing to give up five minutes if you knew it could change the world?
4. It takes smaller pieces to make a masterpiece. Try to see the smaller parts and quit focusing on the larger image. You can be one of the grains of sand that creates the sandcastle even if you have no idea how the sandcastle will come together.
Without one person there would be no Christianity, there would be no emancipation proclamation, there would be no “dream” or Obama. One voice and one person has made a difference since the beginning of time. What are you going to do today that will begin to make an impact on the world?
