“OH, say can you see by the dawn’s early light, what so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming? Whose broad stripes & bright stars through the perilous fight, o’re the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming. And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that Star Spangled Banner yet wave, o’re the land of the free and the home of the brave?”
Um, Mr. Key, a resounding YES! I had the privilege this morning of passing Charlie Battery 1-174 as they left Marsyville for Port Columbus Airport, final destination: Afghanistan. So, the bombs & the rockets were really the flashing lights of the fire engines lining the top of the overpass and the police cars holding the traffic on the exit & entrance ramps of Eastbound 33. The flags flew from the back of the motorcycle escorts instead of the ramparts, but the effect was the same to me as it was to Mr. Key oh, so long ago. It made my heart swell with pride to be an American. I was so proud to be a tiny part of that moment as the best and bravest set out to fight for our freedom. It just seemed to reflect in the dawn’s early light all that is still good and right in the hearts of our citizens. I’m proud to be an American. I’m proud to be from the heartland. And I’m proud of every man and woman on those charter buses who leaves behind their loved ones to fight for freedom for mine.
From my homestead to yours: God Bless America!
Happy Palace Hobby Farm 