Independence Day

O say can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight
O'er the ramparts we watch'd were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bomb 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 in 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 wash'd out their foul footstep's 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 lov'd home and the war's desolation!
Blest with vict'ry and peace may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the power that hath made and preserv'd 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.
Francis Scott Key-Sept. 14, 1814


I do not remember the last time so much conversation has been made of Independence Day as it has this year over the importance of the day its self and why we celebrate. Even after I had joined the Air Force it was just a day to flip burgers and enjoy life. That changed as I had aged a tad. Then September 11, 2001 occurred and all of our lives had changed. Even that very next year on Independence day we were all deployed and it was real to us but it had already died down back in the States. Our Independence was threatened by those who are willing to do whatever it takes to tear it out of our hands...and we sure as hell will fight them tooth and nail for the independence of our people, of our land, of our will and our hearts. It seemed to us that even that next year on July 4th 2002 that the spirit that had fallen over our nation had dwindled once again and then every year less and less sprit was shown on the streets, parade grounds, baseball games, back yard BBQs...But this year seems different. But why? What does the 231st year of our declared Independence mean? Why now? Everyone seems excited to celibate our freedom, Show support for those fighting in Uniform and to offer remorse to those who have fallen for us and our way of life. I want to thank you all for your support, your love, your will, your hearts, your fight, your desire and your patriotism. God knows, in these times we all could use just a tad more.

Take care and God Bless