I Never Really Gave it Much Thought

In my younger years (not really saying much, as I'm only 20), July 4th was always about fireworks.

"DAD! When are we gonna let off the fireworks?!?! It's frickin' dark already!"
"(slightly irritated)We gotta wait for it to be completely dark. That way we can see 'em better."
"*sigh* Fine..."

Since I was about 16, though, the magic of fireworks never really found a place in my head or heart. July 4th just became any other day of the year. Sure, it's Independence Day, a great day in America's history, but I was mostly apathetic.

Tonight, right around dusk, I was driving down by the Ohio River, with Cincinnati in the background. I was on my way back home from some errands I had to run, when I was greeted by the very first, of what is sure to be a magnificent fireworks display all over Northern Kentucky and Southern Ohio. When I saw those first shells rise up and explode, with the Ohio River reflecting every glorious shimmer they had to offer, I was taken aback with an amazing feeling of pride. I was reminded of the history lesson we all learn in grade school: When Francis Scott Key was aboard the American ship in the Chesapeke Bay watching as the British Army attacked Fort McHenry from their ships. Then, after 25 hours of bombardment, the royal navy ceased their attack and Francis Scott Key peered across the bay to see the American Flag still flying high in the air.

The combination of twilight, the river reflecting the wonderous fireworks displays, and the reverie I was in, led to an emotional high I hadn't experienced in a long time.

I feel compelled to post the words that have been repeating over and over in my head tonight.

The Defence of Fort McHenry AKA The Star-Spangled Banner

O say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore dimly seen thro' the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wash'd out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

O thus be it ever when free-men shall stand
Between their lov'd home and the war's desolation;
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust!”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

I thought today was going to be just another day, but I was very wrong.

Happy Independence Day everyone.