To: List Member
From: Vanguard@SmyrnaCable.net(Vanguard Magazine)
Subject: FLAGS ACROSS AMERICA DAY
Date: Fri, 14 Sep 2001 06:30:46 -0800
Reply-To: Vanguard@SmyrnaCable.net
Sender: Vanguard@SmyrnaCable.net

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National Anthem 187 Years Old Today

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September 14, today, is the anniversary of our national anthem, The
Star-Spangled Banner. Early on this morning 187 years ago, Francis
Scott Key, a lawyer and poet, looked through a spy glass from his
vantage point on board a flag-of-truce sloop and was overcome with
emotion when he saw a huge 32' x 40' American flag majestically
flying above Fort McHenry, the entry point of the Baltimore,
Maryland, harbor. The Fort had survived a rain-drenched, 25-hour
bombardment by the British, and Key, with gratefulness and relief,
had hastily scribbled a poem on an envelope he had in his pocket.

The War of 1812 was winding down, and Key had been waiting on board
the sloop for more than a week. It had been his responsiblity to
contact the British fleet and help secure the release of Dr. William
Beanes, a key figure who dealt with prisoners of war. Key was
successful in his mission, but he, Dr. Beanes and their party had
been held on the sloop in anticipation of the bombardment of Fort
McHenry.

Key was a man of great faith, and when he wrote the Star-Spangled
Banner, the words reverberated with patriotism and love of country.
What many may not remember or know, however, is that the fourth verse
of America¹s most sacred song recognizes and pays homage to God:

Oh, thus be it ever, when free men shall stand
Between their loved home and the war¹s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav¹n rescued land
Praise the Pow¹r 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
O¹er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Today, exactly 187 years after Key put pen to paper, we find our
country writhing in anguish and grief as a result of the onslaught of
terrorists who, by their fanatical actions, sought to annihilate the
political, military and financial power bases of our country and,
perhaps most horrendous, to break the spirit of the American people.
But as the dawn¹s early light breaks upon the piles of rubble that
were once the World Trade Center, and television cameras focus on the
gaping hole in the Pentagon, millions of people across our nation are
bowed in prayer, while many others reach out in love and compassion
to tenderly hold a total stranger who is crying, to dig frantically
with their hands to rescue someone from the rubble, to help the
injured and dying, to talk with someone whose loved one has not come
home.

Never fear, fellow countrymen. OUR FLAG IS STILL THERE.

By Patricia (Pat) Centner
Blue Springs
Pcentner@afo.net

Used by permission

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FLAGS ACROSS AMERICA DAY

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Today, September 14, has been dubbed "Flags Across America" day.
Please fly your American flag in a show of unity. America is
weathering the greatest disaster since the Civil War; we must meet
this challenge by trusting in Jesus and praying for the soul of
America, who has lost her way.

As the broken hearts of our country grieve and rescue workers
continue to relentlessly search for survivors, continue to pray for
those in NY, Washington, D.C., and all of the families who have been
touched by this monstrous attack.

Pray for President Bush and his advisors that he will use Godly
wisdom in bringing these criminals to justice.

David and Linda Parsons
Editors, Vanguard Magazine
E-mail: editor21century@aol.com