Thank you for your service

U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Jim Watson. (RELEASED) A New York City firefighter attempts to clear his eyes of soot during rescue efforts at the World Trade Center. The building was destroyed during a Sep. 11, 2001, terrorist attack.

U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Jim Watson. (RELEASED)
A New York City firefighter attempts to clear his eyes of soot during rescue efforts at the World Trade Center. The building was destroyed during a Sep. 11, 2001, terrorist attack.

 

Labor Day in America

Labor Day in America, a day to rest, relax and enjoy a day off. 
What do you do on Labor Day? 

Congrats US Olympians

We are proud of the Olympians!
Special congratulations to the USA!

Faith Monument in Plymouth, MA

Greg Kullberg. Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0

Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported

I was watching a show on INSP and there was a short clip about this Faith Monument in Massachussetts.  Having lived in this state and never heard of this, I was curious. 

Faith points toward heaven and underneath are Freedom, Morality, Law and Education, principles upon which the Pilgrims founded the Commonwealth.  (see wikipedia article)

God Bless the Usa Proud to be an American

In this American Patriotic Song blog, no doubt have to include this contemporary song, written in 1984 by
Lee Greenwood.
If this doesn't give you goosebumps, nothing will.  As we approach the Fourth of the July in the United States, we can appreciate and remember our freedom to enjoy those cookouts and backyard barbecues. 

The map of the United States is not colored with red and blue states, as this is not a political map, but rather a pictorial of the United States for patriotic purposes, that we are in fact united!

American Flag Color Meaning and the American Creed

There's so much to know about The United States of America and its flag. 
But, do you know the words to the American Creed?

The American Creed: (written by William Tyler Page of Friendship
Heights, Maryland in the course of a nationwide contest on the subject.
Page was a descendent of President Tyler, and Representative John Page,
who served in the Congress from 1789-97.) from 108th Congress, 1st Session H.Doc. 108-97,
Our Flag, Joint Committee on Printing United States Congress.

By U.S. Government [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

"I Believe In The United States Of America
As A Government Of The People, By The People,
For The People; Whose Just Powers Are
Derived From The Consent Of The Governed;
A Democracy In A Republic, A Sovereign
Nation Of Many Sovereign States; A Perfect
Union, One And Inseparable; Established
Upon Those Principles Of Freedom, Equality,
Justice, And Humanity For Which American
Patriots Sacrificed Their Lives And Fortunes.
I Therefore Believe It Is My Duty To My
Country To Love It; To Support Its Constitution;
To Obey Its Laws; To Respect Its Flag;
And To Defend It Against All Enemies."


"On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress passed a resolution authorizing a committee to devise a seal for the United States of America. This mission, designed to reflect the Founding Fathers' beliefs, values, and sovereignty of the new Nation, did not become a reality until June 20, 1782. In heraldic devices, such as seals, each element has a specific meaning. Even colors have specific meanings. The colors red, white, and blue did not have meanings for The Stars and Stripes when it was adopted in 1777. However, the colors in the Great Seal did have specific meanings. Charles Thompson, Secretary of the Continental Congress, reporting to Congress on the Seal, stated:

"The colors of the pales (the vertical stripes) are those used in the flag of the United States of America; White signifies purity and innocence, Red, hardiness & valour, and Blue, the color of the Chief (the broad band above the stripes) signifies vigilance, perseverance & justice."

Also this from a book about the flag published in 1977 by the House of Representatives...
"The star is a symbol of the heavens and the divine goal to which man has aspired from time immemorial; the stripe is symbolic of the rays of light emanating from the sun."

Fourth of July, Stars and Stripes Forever, John Phillip Sousa

Let Freedom Ring! 

The Fourth of July, is the day when all of America celebrates it's Independence.  Last year, I happened to be in Siena, Italy of the 4th.  It was a little different being away from home on such a festive day.  So, this year, I hope to hear all the patriotic songs of celebration.

As freedom rings across the United States, we may go to the fireworks,  band concerts, picnics, parties, the beach, cookouts and family reunions.  Some families do it up with an extravaganza and others will be more laid back.  Whether you are in the city or a sprawling landscape, you can't help but pass the day enjoying each other without listening to some patriotic songs. 

Who doesn't enjoy John Phillips Sousa's Stars and Stripes Forever (The March King)


Let martial note in triumph float
And liberty extend its mighty hand
A flag appears 'mid thunderous cheers,
The banner of the Western land.
The emblem of the brave and true
Its folds protect no tyrant crew;
The red and white and starry blue
Is freedom's shield and hope.
Other nations may deem their flags the best
And cheer them with fervid elation
But the flag of the North and South and West
Is the flag of flags, the flag of Freedom's nation.


Hurrah for the flag of the free!
May it wave as our standard forever,
The gem of the land and the sea,
The banner of the right.
Let despots remember the day
When our fathers with mighty endeavor
Proclaimed as they marched to the fray
That by their might and by their right
It waves forever.


Let eagle shriek from lofty peak
The never-ending watchword of our land;
Let summer breeze waft through the trees
The echo of the chorus grand.
Sing out for liberty and light,
Sing out for freedom and the right.
Sing out for Union and its might,
O patriotic sons.
Other nations may deem their flags the best
And cheer them with fervid elation,
But the flag of the North and South and West
Is the flag of flags, the flag of Freedom's nation.


Hurrah for the flag of the free.
May it wave as our standard forever
The gem of the land and the sea,
The banner of the right.
Let despots remember the day
When our fathers with might endeavor
Proclaimed as they marched to the fray,
That by their might and by their right
It waves forever.

We are America, the Armed Forces, you and me

We are the United States of America, you, me and everyone.  Thank you to the Armed Forces.

As we approach Independence Day , listen to
the Boston Pops on the Esplanade, 2009 July 4th

Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture

 

The United States of America State Flags

We are The United States of America.  Do you know what your state flag looks like?

I tried to compile the fifty state flags here.  Hopefully, I got them all.  If you notice something incorrect, please let me know, so I can get the proper one in place.  Thanks!

a short video to accompany the US flags
is here on youtube.

Flag Day in the United States of America, June 14th

Flag Day in the US is June 14th.

Fly your flag with grace, honor and dignity.

The national motto of the United States is declared to be 'In God we trust.'

The complete Flag Code located here.  Did you know, the American Flag has specific color codes issued by the US?  
For residential purposes, if you are purchasing the US flag, American Flag, if made in the U.S.A., (hopefully~yes) it should have these designated colors:  Old Glory Red and Old Glory Blue.  US Embassies use Pantone approximated colors.

Should you be displaying the flag vertically, the union should always be on the viewer's left. 


Here, the Betsy Ross House.

Attribution: Coolcaesar at the English language Wikipedia

 

US Code Title 36 Chapter 10

National Day of Remembrance, Memorial Day, United States of America

On Memorial Day, America respects their soldiers with a day of Remembrance, but many people may not realize there is also a moment of remembrance at 3:00 p.m., where baseball games halt and train whistles blow to pay tribute to those to died in service to the United States of America.  If you are not participating in a parade or other memorial service, you can still remember those who fought for you.

I received this in an email from autom:
Take a moment to pray.
No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. –John 15:13
and other ideas:

• Visit cemeteries and place flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes.
• Visit local memorials.
• Fly the U.S. Flag at half-staff until noon.
• Fly the POW/MIA Flag
• Pledge to aid the widows, widowers, and orphans of our fallen soldiers, and to aid the disabled veterans.

We are America not 50 shades of Grey

A brief video on America, being family and simple basic American values.
Not 50 shades of grey




Songs courtesy of OneTrueMedia are Bugle Call Assembly and Semper Fidelis

We are America at OneTrueMedia.com

A brief video on America, being family and simple basic American values.  My Little House on the Prairie. 


Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

Battle Hymn of the Republic

I can't do a patriotic song blog without mentioning the Battle Hymn of the Republic.

Hard for me to write about this one, as this song was played at my Dad's funeral when I was only fourteen years old.


Orson Welles has a fantastic explanation of this song.



The words by Julia Ward Howe

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored,
He has loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword
His truth is marching on.

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.



I have seen Him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps
They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps
I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps
His day is marching on.

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.

I have read a fiery gospel writ in burnish`d rows of steel,
"As ye deal with my contemnors, so with you my grace shall deal;"
Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with his heel
Since God is marching on.

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.

He has sounded from the trumpet that shall never call retreat
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment-seat
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! Be jubilant, my feet!
Our God is marching on.

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:
As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free,
While God is marching on.

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.

A video from youtube

Battle Hymn of the Republic - United States Navy- Day of Rememberance 

"Battle Hymn of the Republic sung by the US Navy at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. on September 14th 2001 for the 9/11 Memorial Service Hosted by Peter Jennings. Music written by William Steffe 1855 and lyrics written by Julia Ward Howe 11/17/1861."

America, the Beautiful

As we approach Memorial Day in the United States and then the Fourth of July, I begin to start listening to patriotic songs.

A pictorial tribute to Katherine Lee Bates

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America! God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

 youtube video of The United States of America with state flags









~~~~~~~~~ Here's a youtube rendition with Frank Sinatra


O beautiful for pilgrim feet,
Whose stern impassion'd stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America! God mend thine ev'ry flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!

O beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved,
And mercy more than life!
America! America! May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness,
And ev'ry gain divine!

O Beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam,
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America! God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

Katherine Lee Bates 1913