By Assemblyman Will Barclay
In 1814, Francis Scott Key wrote the poem, “Defense of Fort McHenry.” The poem was later put to song and retitled “The Star Spangled Banner.” Our anthem is proudly played often at sporting events, community gatherings and at schools throughout our country. During Memorial Day our national anthem will be heard near and far as communities gather for parades and graveside tributes. The familiar verse conjures up images of war, loss, our flag, and our servicemen and women, but most of all, it reminds us of the freedoms we have as Americans and the brave soldiers who fought and continue to fight to protect our freedoms.
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 bombs 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?
Locally, veterans and community members celebrate Memorial Day by honoring the veterans who died defending our great freedoms, which include freedom of religion, speech, the right to own property, the right to bear arms, the right to peaceably assemble and the right to a fair trial. Those in attendance at Memorial Day events stand in silence as names of veterans are read, prayers said, and our anthem plays. A deep sense of humility, pride and love of country can be felt at each ceremony.
The ceremonies and parades are a testament to our country’s and community’s integrity. Local residents work hard to ensure these traditions continue. Many plant flowers at the cemeteries and stake flags by the gravesides, or plan family and friend gatherings to honor the day. At each community honoring, flags are raised and gun salutes take place, reminding us once again of the ultimate sacrifices. We’re reminded all at once of the ones who have gone before us and hope they’re in a better place as our anthem plays.
Congress proclaimed “The Star Spangled Banner” the U.S. National Anthem in 1931. The last two lines of our anthem — “O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave/O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?” — remind us our freedoms are still worth fighting for and our flag, still worth protecting. I hope you and your families enjoy your Memorial Day weekend and are also able to take a moment to remember, honor, and thank those who have served our great country.
If you have any questions or comments on this or any other state issue, or if you would like to be added to my mailing list or receive my newsletter, please contact my office. My office can be reached by mail at 200 N. Second St., Fulton, NY 13069, by email at [email protected] or by calling 598-5185. You can also friend me, Assemblyman Barclay, on Facebook.
