Slice of Life: Let freedom ring

“O say can you see, by the dawn’s early light, what so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming…” Francis Scott Key, an American patriot, was sent to negotiate a prisoner’s release from the British while the battle for Fort McHenry raged. The negotiations were discussed on a British vessel tied to his American ship. Once the details were completed, the British kept Key under guard to prevent him from sharing with the Americans any military secrets that he might have observed while on the British ship.

While the battle for freedom raged around the ship he was on, his prayers were for the Americans to prevail and for the American flag to be flying free at the dawn’s first light. Throughout the night, he wondered what the new day would bring. The loss of freedom for America? Or the beginning of a new approach to a self-ruling government where all men are created equal? The welcome sight of the stars and stripes flying in the wind at dawn over Fort McHenry inspired him to write the poem that later became the American National Anthem.

“Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight, O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming…” Imagine his relief – and his joy for the Americans who fought so hard to win against the British. Imagine the thundering sounds of battle as he watched helplessly from his ship. The burst of firepower, the explosions and scent of gunpowder.

American culture still holds to celebrating the battles that won this country its freedom from the rule of a king. Every July Fourth, we celebrate by sending fireworks into the sky to represent battles fought and won. “And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there…” As we watch the fireworks explode in the sky, do you think of those who fought for this freedom?

Of course, many who have fought do not enjoy the fireworks, and for some, those bright bursts in the air cause them agony from PTSD. My nephew served, as did my husband and many others in our family. But for this one nephew, the annual explosions are not a patriotic reminder. Rather, they bring back memories he would rather forget. So, for this night, he travels to remote areas, allowing others to celebrate.

I know there are concerns for animals. Loud noises can be disturbing. Our dog Lucas does not enjoy fireworks. He is fearless when running a bear up a tree, but a firecracker? Not good. So, we snuggle him and comfort him and know he’ll be okay when the fireworks are over.

But what a magnificent thing to celebrate. The birth of a nation. Not just any nation, but the United States of America. A great experiment that values all as created equal under God. No king, no leader who ruled over the people, but a constitutional republic that allows people to vote and create the laws they are to be governed by.

Sadly, it seems this great experiment is at risk of failing. The freedoms and culture that have stood the test of time for 247 years are under attack. The traditions and activities that were celebrated for a few hundred years are now demeaned and devalued. Yes, there is a fine line to protect those who suffer, but there is also a need to allow the cultural traditions of a nation to continue and to remember why those traditions are in place. Recently, our Vice President, Kamala Harris, spoke at the 2023 Essence Festival of Culture about the importance of culture in our society. She defined culture as “… a reflection of our moment and our time.” The Oxford Dictionary defines culture as “the customs and beliefs, art, way of life, and social organization of a particular country or group.” For most of the citizens of the United States, the Oxford definition rings true. Our culture should not be a fluid, changing experience of the moment, but rather enduring customs based on history. The cultural aspect of fireworks on the Fourth of July to honor and celebrate the independence of our nation is a long-standing tradition – one I certainly hope remains in place for generations to come.

And a final point regarding the work of Key on his masterpiece: While we usually sing one verse of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at sporting events and other gatherings, Key actually wrote four verses. He asked at the conclusion of the first stanza, “Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave, O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?” Indeed, it did still wave then, as it does now.

So even though the fireworks have quieted and the barbecues are over, the joy of freedom remains. We still fly our flag proudly and in honor of those whose sacrifices paid for this freedom and to signal to the world that the United States is still here, strong and proud. As the last two lines of the fourth verse of Frances Scott Key’s Star Spangled Banner say, “…the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave, O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.” May it continue to wave long into the future.

Chelle is a recovering social worker who currently works as a licensed massage therapist at Cherry Creek Myotherapy. She moved to Montana with her husband David and two pups, Lucas and Turner, where they seek “the quiet life” amid new adventures.