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Here is what is on the Orange County red cross site. Gee, I didn't get a warm fuzzy from it. Their religious intolerance toward my religion has deeply offended me.

ORANGE COUNTY, March 8, 2002 — The Sunday volunteer recognition program at the American Red Cross Orange County Chapter in Santa Ana, California, honors America both through the presentation of colors and in the music program.

The American Red Cross Chapter in Orange County and the Orange County High School of the Arts regret that we were not able to reach agreement on the music program with conductor Cherilyn Bacon. The dispute was over the music program and has nothing to do with patriotism. "God Bless America" is a wonderful song.

The event begins with the posting of the American Flag and the singing of "The Star-Spangled Banner." The dispute centers only on our sensitivity to religious diversity, and a preference for a music program that would be inclusive and not offend different populations participating in this particular event.

Pledge of Allegiance?
God Bless America?
VERBOTEN!

Don't forget the whole name of the organization:
RED CROSS/RED CRESCENT
Donations help fund organizations like the Palestinian Red Crescent Society,
which cranks out propaganda like this:

Israeli Army Shoots at Innocent Pregnant Women & Children

Isn't it comforting to know that the selfless contributions
of well-meaning Americans are going to support these "Red Crescent Societies"?

:

America the Beautiful was originally a poem without a tune, written about the turn of the 20th century by Katherine Lee Bates, who now is claimed a hero by lesbian groups (who knows... she didn't wear the t-shirt and isn't around to speak for herself but you'll see it if you search against her same). Lots of history.

But people were inclined to set it to music. There were numerous (at least 80) published tunes for America the Beautiful (which I guess you can still find sheet music for - collect 'em all) prior to 1913, when the present tune, a tune called "Materna" composed in 1888 by Sam Ward for an old Episcopal hymn "Oh Mother Dear, Jerusalem" became the accepted tune for ATB. Sam Ward died in 1903 and never knew the impact of his tune.

here is the story right from the oc redcross web site ORANGE COUNTY, March 8, 2002 The Sunday volunteer recognition program at the American Red Cross Orange County Chapter in Santa Ana, California, honors America both through the presentation of colors and in the music program. The American Red Cross Chapter in Orange County and the Orange County High School of the Arts regret that we were not able to reach agreement on the music program with conductor Cherilyn Bacon. The dispute was over the music program and has nothing to do with patriotism. "God Bless America" is a wonderful song. The event begins with the posting of the American Flag and the singing of "The Star-Spangled Banner." The dispute centers only on our sensitivity to religious diversity, and a preference for a music program that would be inclusive and not offend different populations participating in this particular event. Copyright 2001, The American Red Cross, Orange County Chapter. All Rights Reserved. sorry if it's not formatted correctly i have also fired off a email to them mark in fullerton ca