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The FReeper Canteen~Star Spangled Banner~14Sept06
Various Internet Sires | The Canteen Crew

Posted on 09/13/2006 6:14:15 PM PDT by AZamericonnie




The FReeper Canteen Presents....





On Sept. 14, 1814, Francis Scott Key peered through clearing smoke to see an enormous flag flying proudly after a 25-hour British bombardment of Baltimore's Fort McHenry. Key was inspired to write a poem, which was later set to music. Even before "The Star-Spangled Banner" became our national anthem, it helped transform the garrison flag with the same name into a major national symbol of patriotism and identity. The flag has had a colorful history, from its origins in a government contract through its sojourn with several generations of a Baltimore family to its eventual donation to the Smithsonian Institution.


Francis Scott Key (1779 - 1843)

KEY, Francis Scott, author, born in Frederick county, Md., 9 Aug., 1780 died in Baltimore, Md., 11 Jan., 1843, was the son of John Ross Key, a Revolutionary officer. He was educated at St. John's college, studied law in the office of his uncle, Philip Barton Key, and began to practice law in Frederick City, Md., but subsequently removed to Washington, where he was district attorney for the District of Columbia.

Key and Skinner were transferred to the frigate "Surprise," commanded by the admiral's son, Sir Thomas Cockburn, and soon afterward returned under guard of British sailors to their own vessel, whence they witnessed the engagement. Owing to their position the flag at Fort McHenry was distinctly seen through the night by the glare of the battle, but before dawn the firing ceased, and the prisoners anxiously watched to see which colors floated on the ram­parts. Key's feelings when he found that the stars and stripes had not been hauled down found expression in "The Star-Spangled Banner," which gained for him a lasting reputation.


The caption reads "A VIEW of the BOMBARDMENT of Fort McHenry, near Baltimore, by the British fleet taken from the Observatory under the Command of Admirals Cochrane & Cockburn on the morning of the 13th of Sept 1814 which lasted 24 hours & thrown from 1500 to 1800 shells in the Night attempted to land by forcing a passage up the ferry branch but were repulsed with great loss."

On arriving in Baltimore he finished the lines which he had hastily written on the back of a letter, and gave them to Capt. Benjamin Eades, of the 27th Baltimore regiment, who had participated in the battle of North Point. Seizing a copy from the press, Eades hastened to the old tavern next to the Holliday Street Theatre, where the actors were accustomed to assemble. Mr. Key had directed Eades to print above the poem the direction that it was to be sung to the air "Anacreon in Heaven." The verses were first read aloud by the printer, and then, on being appealed to by the crowd, Ferdinand Durang mounted a chair and sang them for the first time. In a short period they were familiar throughout the United States.

After the war, Francis Scott Key continued to live a very religious life. He was well-liked by his friends and was active in society. On January 11, 1843, while visiting his daughter in Baltimore, Key died of pleurisy. To honor the author of "The Star-Spangled Banner," there are monuments at: Fort McHenry; on Eutaw Street in Baltimore; at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Frederick, Maryland; and at the Presidio in San Francisco, California.


The actual flag flown over Fort McHenry. 30 by 42 feet and costing $405.90 the flag was made from 400 yards of wool bunting. The 15 stars each measured two feet from point to point.

The song gained popularity throughout the nineteenth century and bands played it during public events, such as July 4 celebrations. On 27 July 1889, Secretary of the Navy Benjamin F. Tracy signed General Order #374, making "The Star-Spangled Banner" the official tune to be played at the raising of the flag.

In 1913, Percy Moran painted a picture of Francis Scott Key reaching out toward the flag.




In 1916, Woodrow Wilson ordered that "The Star-Spangled Banner" be played at military and other appropriate occasions. Although the playing of the song two years later during the seventh-inning stretch of the 1918 World Series is often noted as the first instance that the Anthem was played at a baseball game, evidence shows that the "Star Spangled-Banner" was performed as early as 1897 at Opening Day ceremonies in Philadelphia and then more regularly at the Polo Grounds in New York beginning in 1898. Today, the anthem is performed before the first pitch at every game.

On 3 November 1929, Robert Ripley drew a panel in his syndicated cartoon, Believe it or Not!, saying, "Believe It or Not, America has no national anthem."[citation needed] In 1931, John Philip Sousa published his opinion in favor, stating that "it is the spirit of the music that inspires" as much as it is Key's "soulstirring" words. By a law signed on 3 March 1931 by President Herbert Hoover, "The Star-Spangled Banner" was adopted as the national anthem of the United States.





Please Stand for The National Anthem
~~The Star Spangled Banner~~

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 and bright stars thru the perilous fight, O'er 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'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!

Oh! 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!


~Tribute To Our Troops~



TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: airforce; army; coastguard; marines; militarysupport; navy; starspangledbanner
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To: AZamericonnie

Very much so! God bless America and may her flag forever wave!


41 posted on 09/13/2006 6:36:10 PM PDT by luvie (We didn’t lose almost 3000 people that day.We lost one wonderful person at a time, almost 3000 times)
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To: bentfeather; LUV W
I love our military. I'm a big WWII buff..but History is again being made. Our Troops today deserve honor and support

From my home page re: my screen name. Just FYI

P-38F-141-7587

Texas Terror/Mad Dash of Lt. Jack M. Ilfrey, 94th FS/1st FG, Nouvion, Algeria, March 1943.

Like his contemporaries, Ilfrey flew this fighter from England to northwest Africa, via a temporary stopover in Portugal due to an engine malfunction. He boldly named the fighter TEXAS TERROR on the port boom in order to indicate his predisposition to any axis airmen he encountered, and the MAD DASH on the starboard boom to commemorate the long overwater flight undertaken by the P-38's to Africa.

This lightining was damaged beyond repair sometime late in 1942 or early 1943, and was apparently Cannibalised to keep other 94TH FS P38's flying.

42 posted on 09/13/2006 6:36:48 PM PDT by Mad Dash
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To: AZamericonnie

That Old Piece of Cloth

Comic book artist Frank Miller believes patriotism is a value that is critical to our national security and survival. The son of two World War II veterans, Miller says, "For the first time in my life, I know how it feels to face an existential menace."


“Patriotism, I now believe, isn't some sentimental, old conceit. It's self-preservation.”


http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5784518


43 posted on 09/13/2006 6:38:10 PM PDT by bnelson44 (Proud parent of a tanker! (Charlie Mike, son))
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To: mwyounce

Good evening mwyounce & welcome to the Canteen!

That is an excellent question btw. I looked like crazy to find one & was unsucessful.

I would sure like to hear the complete piece! If you ever come across one let me know ok?


44 posted on 09/13/2006 6:38:51 PM PDT by AZamericonnie (Support the Troops...they support us!)
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To: AZamericonnie
Please feel free to join in our support!

Thank you. Please know however, that if I post or not..I am a stranger to individual troops..a stranger who prays for them daily. Always.

45 posted on 09/13/2006 6:38:58 PM PDT by Mad Dash
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To: Mad Dash

Thank You for the info from your Profile Page.

I did a Mad Dash to read it. ;)


46 posted on 09/13/2006 6:39:11 PM PDT by Soaring Feather
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To: Mad Dash

Very cool....I wondered what it meant.

Do I need to explain mine? :D


47 posted on 09/13/2006 6:39:20 PM PDT by luvie (We didn’t lose almost 3000 people that day.We lost one wonderful person at a time, almost 3000 times)
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To: LUV W

?


48 posted on 09/13/2006 6:39:37 PM PDT by luvie (We didn’t lose almost 3000 people that day.We lost one wonderful person at a time, almost 3000 times)
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To: LUV W

?


49 posted on 09/13/2006 6:39:37 PM PDT by luvie (We didn’t lose almost 3000 people that day.We lost one wonderful person at a time, almost 3000 times)
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To: LUV W

?


50 posted on 09/13/2006 6:39:37 PM PDT by luvie (We didn’t lose almost 3000 people that day.We lost one wonderful person at a time, almost 3000 times)
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To: tomkow6

mine!!!


51 posted on 09/13/2006 6:39:45 PM PDT by Soaring Feather
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To: tomkow6

mine!!!


52 posted on 09/13/2006 6:39:48 PM PDT by Soaring Feather
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To: darkwing104

Are you getting Dangerous Dark one?:)

Good to see you....hope all is well your way! *Hugs*


53 posted on 09/13/2006 6:40:07 PM PDT by AZamericonnie (Support the Troops...they support us!)
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To: AZamericonnie

Thanks and will do!


54 posted on 09/13/2006 6:40:13 PM PDT by mwyounce
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub

Welll guess who back btw I score computer for my birthday my old computer finally died on me or maybe was sabotage by Chia Pet through internet satellite LOLOL

Breaking news off Tass news wire report bad news Tomkow there is good possibity get this there might be shortrage of VODKA THIS WINTER

How do Bear fan keep warm if there no vodka that question of the ages LOL


55 posted on 09/13/2006 6:40:40 PM PDT by SevenofNine (I'd rather hunt with Dick Cheney than ride with Ted Kennedy)
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To: bentfeather
Happy 29th Birthday, Tonkin!!


Click

56 posted on 09/13/2006 6:40:50 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ God Bless and Protect Our Brave Protectors of Freedom~)
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To: Mad Dash

Thank you, as a Military Mom, for your prayers for my son and all the others. He is not in harm's way at this time, but he is my hero! :D


57 posted on 09/13/2006 6:41:00 PM PDT by luvie (We didn’t lose almost 3000 people that day.We lost one wonderful person at a time, almost 3000 times)
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; AZamericonnie; All

Bump! Good evening, and thanks for the ping & thread.


58 posted on 09/13/2006 6:42:57 PM PDT by Gucho
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To: darkwing104

Good evening, darkwing retired.


59 posted on 09/13/2006 6:43:03 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ God Bless and Protect Our Brave Protectors of Freedom~)
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To: bentfeather
I did a Mad Dash to read it. ;)

I chose this name because I imagined a pilots connection with his fighter. SACRIFICE. a proud fighter cannibalized for the sake of the effort..

Who can understand the sacrifice of a soldier? Another Soldier..His or Her family. I am not a soldier, I have no family serving ( well, I have no family, really). But somehow..I know.

60 posted on 09/13/2006 6:43:31 PM PDT by Mad Dash
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