Disrespecting the National Anthem

Nena Arias | August 19, 2019

“Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom! I hope you will make good use of it! If you do not, I shall repent it in Heaven that I ever took half the pains to preserve it!” –John Adams

If you love this country, and you are like me who appreciates it very much, it is very disturbing to see someone who has a higher concept of themselves than they ought, to outright disrespect our beloved National Anthem as well as desecrate our national symbols. 

It started with an overly paid football quarterback, then recently it was a woman’s soccer star, and now it has become a fad to disrespect our National Anthem while benefiting greatly from the privileges America affords us all. These are American athletes protesting the National Anthem who are supposed to be role models for many of our young people.

Criticism of America without truly contributing to fix what needs fixing is not fair and should not be tolerated. Even though we love our country, we are not blinded to certain imperfections and the need to reform. But that is a far cry from what is going on in the name of protest. It is not acceptable to disrespect our National Anthem, our flag and national symbols that have cost so dearly. Fanning the flames of racism, gun control (although they really mean confiscation), and accusations of apparent mistreatment of immigrants, seem to be at the top of the list and are rearing their ugly head causing much division and hurt amongst us. The truth of the matter is that we already have just laws to address these issues if they were only strictly followed and stop politicizing these matters for political posturing we would be in a much better shape. 

We would be totally dishonest not to admit there are many flaws that need to be mended. But the hunger of certain visible individuals to have 15 minutes of fame at the expense of our country seems to be growing and nothing will ever satisfy those who protest our National Anthem.

Our true American history shows that God did something special in the creation of this nation. It began with the Pilgrims who came here “for the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith” as the Mayflower Compact of 1620 states. This continued through when the Puritans came ten years later in order to create “a city on a hill” as expressed by Rev. John Winthrop, who was the founder of Boston in 1630.

The Puritans also created the colony of Connecticut, and they wrote the first constitution on American soil, which contributed to the U.S. Constitution 148 years later. Their whole motive for their settlement was: “to maintain and preserve the liberty and purity of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus.” This was the main goal during the settling era.

But the Christian influence of early America did not stop during the founding era. It is indisputable that our national life from the very beginning contained numerous deeply faith-filled men of God with knowledge of his Word.

Our history records that Congress proclaimed days of fasting and thanksgiving annually throughout the Revolutionary War. Such was the proclamation of May 17, 1776 by Congress for a “day of Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer”, which also mentions Jesus Christ, for obtaining forgiveness.

Fast forward to another generation, the National Anthem comes into view. The anthem was based on the War of 1812, in which we were again at war with England.

During this conflict, the British were able to invade Washington, D.C. They even burned down the White House and the Capitol. The obvious aim of the British was to take over again.

Meanwhile, Francis Scott Key, an American lawyer, author, and amateur poet from Frederick, Maryland, was in Washington D.C., during the War of 1812. Key set out for a negotiation and was taken aboard a British truce ship and held as captive overnight—as the British fleet attempted to annihilate Fort McHenry. The fort protected Baltimore’s harbor.

Through the night of September 13-14, Key watched helplessly as the British mercilessly attacked the fort.

In the morning, at “the dawn’s early light,” Francis Scott Key was very delighted to see the fort still standing, and the American flag still waving.

This incident inspired him to write a hymn/poem, dedicated to the “Defense of Fort McHenry.” The song, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” became instantly popular.

In 1931, Congress adopted it as our National Anthem.

We’re all familiar with the first verse of the anthem, but the 4th verse mentions God: “Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, and this be our motto, ‘In God is our trust!’”

Forty years later, the phrase “In God We Trust”, was put on our coins beginning in the 1860s. Nearly a century later, it was added to our paper currency. Also, in the 1950s, Congress adopted it as our national motto: “In God We Trust.” It is still our national motto.

It is ludicrous that protesters of the National Anthem do so without repercussion. It is wrong that they are disrespecting the high price it represents. Instead we should all be thankful to God for those who sacrificed to give us that freedom.

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