I went to watch the fireworks in Allen on Saturday evening (a week early, I know). My son Matthew has a home that is situated right next to the field which was used for this display. In speaking with my grandchildren, I realized that they did not really understand why we had fireworks as a 4th of July celebration. So I rehearsed the story of Francis Scott Key and the origins of the Star Spangled Banner for them. I cannot imagine sitting offshore(as Francis Scott Key was forced to do and in an enemy boat), watching Fort Mc Henry/Baltimore/or anyplace in the United States be bombed for 24+ hours! Then waiting until the first light of dawn and holding my breath to see if our flag was still flying over the fort.
I am so grateful for this country. My brother tells of flying from Singapore to San Francisco and having some suspicious planes threatening their airspace over the Pacific. This was during a time that a plane had been "lost"near South Korea and he said the passengers were very quiet and pensive. Then the captain of the plane announced that they would be getting some escorts back to the USA and along side the plane they could see several Air Force pilots wave to them as they formed a shield around their plane. The passengers erupted into a huge applause. He told me that he travels alot but still gets choked a little as he remembers the safety he felt just seeing those fighter planes protecting his flight home.
I'll bet we all have memories of feeling that lump in our throat over the freedoms that have been perserved for each of us. Just being able to have this blog and express myself as I see fit - that is a treasured freedom!
I would love to hear/read some of your thoughts and feelings on what this great land of America means to you - and why!
Monday, June 28, 2010
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2 comments:
My love of this country is deep. As I have done family history research I have been able to trace my ancestors back through the major movements of history as this land was opened up to settlement. Wherever the the frontier was, that was where they were. They were lured to the frontline by their love of adventure, opportunity, and freedom. I know that being on the edge of development was dangerous and lonely. I appreciate the sacrifices they made to open the land. I am grateful that most of them survived and that I and my children benefit from the sacrifices they made.
Thank you so much for sharing about the origin of fireworks! I told my children about it before we went to see fireworks.... It was wonderful!
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