To American Veterans: Thank you and God bless!

Below, American Soldier by Toby Keith
………………………………………………..

………………………………………………..

Veterans Day

As Veterans Day fast approaches, I have found myself reflecting on the service and sacrifice of American men and woman who have served, and now serve, our much blessed Nation. In war time and peace, their service and valor have been a cornerstone in our cause for Freedom, progress and prosperity. From the first shots at Concord in 1775 to the peacekeepers of Enduring Freedom, our veterans have served us valiantly.

We owe them all a great debt of gratitude and many thanks.

Thank you and God bless.

In celebration of American veterans, I am posting the complete lyrics of the National Anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner and a youtube video of the anthem by the academy choirs.

…

The Star-Spangled Banner

O! say can you see by the dawn’s early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming.
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming.
And the rockets’ 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’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! Oh 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 washed out their foul footsteps’ 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 loved home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved 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!

…

Stan Faryna
November 7, 2008
Washington, D.C.