Thanks! There was a story behind it, as with some others I posted. I was traveling around with Lee Greenwood and some other stars promoting a series of concerts at the time the song became popular.
One of our "stops" was an appearance at the Republican National Convention in Dallas. It didn't matter how many times I heard him sing it, my eyes welled up every time -- and when you're in a place like that, or my hometown/city at the time, where literally *everyone* DOES "stand up" when he sings, "I'd gladly STAND UP next to you and defend her still today" - believe me, you'd STAND UP, too, for the men who died who gave that right to you!
I probably should not have written the song title that way, though, because I was just humming opening verses to myself. I *should* have written
GOD BLESS THE U.S.A.!!!
Occasionally a song that I never paid much attention to unexpectedly manifests itself in a profound way. Three years ago I was at an amusement park listening to some college students perform a musical tribute to the soldiers, one of their themes for the year. They were performing "God Bless The USA" when I heard the words "where at least I know I'm free". So unexpected was the emotion in that line that I had to struggle to maintain my composure. I thought that if the very least we have in this country is freedom then how wonderful a country it is and how blessed we are.
I can't help but think that those who have fought for it and are still fighting must understand this, we all should. We should stand with them to fight for the freedom in which we share.
Now when I hear this song I feel an inspiring sense of patriotism.