Flag Day 2021

O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? Let’s make sure that it does!

Today, Flag Day, we as a nation have set aside to remember the adoption of our flag on June 14, 1777. I have often pondered that question, first asked by Francis Scott Key, as he was watching the bombardment of Fort McHenry.

244 years later, the flag of the United States of America flies beautifully this morning in front of our house. The flag pole itself was a gift from my father, many years ago, due to his deep love for our nation and our flag.

As I stood next to his grave yesterday in Winchester, Virginia, I smiled as I recalled how much he loved to fly the flag of the United States of America, and to celebrate this day.

Oh for sure, we are a nation with many current challenges, yet with a deep tradition of God-based liberty and freedom upon which our society rests. What an amazing thing it is, to have the red, white, and blue as a symbol known around the world, representing the freedom-loving people of the United States.

Dad would often start this day, and many days, by loudly playing his favorite song, John Philip Sousa‘s, Stars & Stripes Forever. There was also a very heartwarming event that took place just on June 5th, a few days ago, at the start of a hockey playoff game, that is worth listening to and observing if you have not done so yet. In youtube, type : Islanders hockey playoffs national anthem. It has quickly become one of my favorite versions of our National Anthem, and might even become my favorite.

As you start a new day, smile along with me at what is best about our nation as we recall words that we should never forget, O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? Let’s make sure that it does!