The National Anthem

While many know the story behind Francis Scott Key penning the beloved Star Spangle Banner, not many know the story of the flag that was flown at Fort McHenry that inspired Key to write the words that would become the National Anthem of the United States of America. This flag was created by Mary Young Pickersgill.

The War of 1812 was a critical time during America's history. The Commander of Fort McHenry, Colonel Armistead, along with other military leaders, knew how important Fort McHenry was to our nation at this time. The British had burned Washington and were advancing toward Balitmore. These brave leaders felt that the Baltimoreans were discouraged and afraid. They felt that spirits would be raised by seeing a huge, high flying flag at Fort McHenry as a symbol of defiance.

It was because of this that Colonel Armistead commissioned Mary Youngs Pickersgill, a local seamstress and flag maker to make two flags for Fort McHenry in 1813 - a large flag and a smaller one to fly in bad weather. She was paid $500 for both flags, the large one being 30 x 42 feet, so it could be seen from a great distance. She was asked to sew a flag with 15 stars and 15 stripes, the number of states then in the Union.

Anticipating an attack on Fort McHenry by the British during the War of 1812, Major Armistead asked that the flag be made extra large so that it would be plainly visible to the English Fleet. He had also hoped the large flag would lift the spirits of the Baltimoreans, allowing them to see this flag fly in defiance of the British.

This flag was used as the garrison flag of Fort McHenry during the British siege of the fort during the War of 1812. When Francis Scott Key saw the flag from a ship eight miles down the Patapsco River on September 14, 1814, the flag was still waving in the breeze after twenty-five hours of heavy bombardment by the British. The British were very discouraged to see it still there, but Key was inspired to write the poem that became the National Anthem. 

http://www.essortment.com/history-star-spangled-banner-21225.html

I was attending the Prattville football game last night and I thought of this while the National Anthem was being played (beautifully) by our band. I've always been a patriotic person, but now all of this has a new meaning to me since Dave is serving overseas. These military men and women make big sacrifices for our country. Oh I know you all have heard it before, but again this all brings a new meaning to me since my husband and I only shared 4 days together before he left. They sacrifice time away from family and miss out on things like birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, first steps, first words, and so much more. I'm so honored to be a military wife. I've heard before that soldiers don't fight because of what's in front of them...they fight because of what's behind them. With all of this being said it bothers me when a person won't stop for the pledge or National Anthem. It's a small moment of your day to honor those who so bravely honor you and the United States of America. Please thank a soldier today and always, and honor them by being respectful when the pledge is being said or the anthem is being played.