I was listening to this weekend's Prarie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor and had a Bill Moyers moment. For Memorial Day they were playing songs of America including the Star Spangled Banner. As I listened to the songs on the broadcast, for some reason I started to choke up with tears. This may be a normal reaction for many people, but for me it was a break-through.
You see, I haven't felt like a full citizen of the United States of America since 1991 when George Bush the elder invaded Iraq. I was in college then; a student organizer who helped assemble the largest anti-war (pro-peace) protest movements the city had ever seen. Our very first march was larger than the largest march of the Vietnam protest era and they only got larger from there. But despite all our marches, all our voices raised together, we were ineffective in making change in federal policy.
To make it worse, those in power called us unpatriotic, anti-troops, and worse. Today I'm sure we would have been labeled terrorists. I am an Eagle Scout and feel strongly about the USA and that I was doing my part to defend it. At some point I resolved not to participate in the charade of patriotism for a country that seemed intent on not listening to my point of view and the opinions of the anti-war movement.
Since that time I haven't once stood for the National Anthem, said the Pledge of Allegiance, or saluted the flag. I don't love my country any less, in fact, I worry about it daily. It's just that I felt those symbols had been co-opted by those who were ruining the country. I didn't want to lend them my support.
So I was a bit surprised when I heard the Star Spangled Banner being sung by Garrison Keillor, and the audience at his show, and I felt anew the power of our National Anthem. With each passing line I felt a new sense of ownership as the lyrics called out to me. In fact, I feel that the song applies to today's circumstances as well as it ever has.
Oh, say can you see, by the dawn's early light,
We're at the dawn of a new era. Technology is shrinking the world faster than ever. Our part in the new world economy is still unknown. In fact, it remains to be seen if we'll even be around as a nation. America is still a young nation and we're facing our toughest test, both at home (polarization) and abroad (terrorism), ever. I chose to think this little experiment is still at its beginning.
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Don't forget America's founding principles. Don't let the message of hate, fear, and intolerance win.
Whose broad stripes and bright stars,
The stripes are broad enough so they cover everybody. Wide enough to support all our different views. The stars are bright so that even in our darkest hour we can see them and find the way.
through the perilous fight,
Freedom won't come easy. Once you have it you must continue to fight for it. To let down your guard is perilous.
O'er the ramparts we watched,
The flag is a symbol of our strength. But is just a symbol. When it is being held behind walls, inaccessible to all, that is when we have to worry.
were so gallantly streaming?
The flag should be a beacon for truth and justice. It should represent the best we have to offer. When others see it and shudder in fear, we have gone too far and the gallantry is over.
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Through war, poverty, and the darkest times, our country has survived. It's my intention to make sure it passes through this test as well.
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
But it won't pass through all on its own.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
We need to take ownership of our nation's symbols again.
O'er the land of the free
Let them shine for truth and freedom once again.
and the home of the brave?
Does it? It's a question. Not a fact. We must continually answer the flag's call to protect the freedom it stands for. We must rise up when those who would curtail our freedom speak or take action against it.
On this memorial day we remember our forefathers (and mothers), especially those who fought and died for the country. We must not let it seem that their struggles have been in vain. We must endure so that our nation endures. I've reclaimed the National Anthem for myself. I won't be afraid to let freedom ring loud and clear next time it is my turn to sing.