One thing is for sure: this trip across the United States was a meaningful, educational experience that our kids will always remember. I'm so proud of their adaptability on the road and their following insight about our country and its history. The last few weeks we've been reviewing our adventures under a different lens, comparing what we've seen to patriotic songs, poems, and artwork. The kids illustrated what the song America the Beautiful means to them now that they've seen it (see Brickhead's colored pencil illustration above--all freehand.) He chose memories from his favorite place, the Badlands in South Dakota, for his poetry assignment. Back in the BadlandsBack in the Badlands the rocks stand tall, A barren wasteland, so it was called. A place once feared by both whites and their native ‘guides’, Now is admired by tourists’ eyes. Any corner that you turn there lies more rocks to climb, So up and up I scurry, away from ground and towards the open sky! They also researched the history of the Star Spangled Banner and learned about the American flag. He loves to tell action stories, so here's one for you: What does the American flag mean to me? by Brickhead Francis Key Scott strode up the gangway on to the deck of the British ship, which was sailing a few miles from the United States border. He had been instructed by President James Madison to negotiate for the release of the American prisoners who were being held captive in the barge. He found the captain of the ship. The captain reached terms for the prisoners’ release but also had information for the unexpecting Francis Key.
“We will release these prisoners,” He started. “But it will not matter when it’s over.” He pointed to a hoard of little dots on horizon. “That there is the entire British navy. They are poised to strike Fort Henry and will arrive in the next two hours unless otherwise delayed. They will not stop until that flag that you hold so dear is on the ground. You will belong to England once again.” Francis was infuriated. “You can’t do that!” He hollered. “That fort is filled with not only men, but women and children, too! You’ll kill them all!” The navy captain smirked calmly. “We have allowed them a way to live,” He said. “If they lower that foolish flag of theirs to the ground. If they perish then it is of their own fault.” Francis Key grimaced. “A true American Christian will sooner die on his feet than live on his knees.” The captain scoffed. “Then only they can claim fault for their deaths.” He said. Francis Key turned his back on the British admiral and started down the stairs to below deck so he could notify the prisoners. He stared at the starved men, bound in shackles and nailing at the walls of their prison cells. He only wished he could help them. Once he had made the situation clear to all of them he vowed he would report progress of the one thing they wanted to know; Did the flag remain waving? Within the next hour or so dusk had came, and darkness was setting in. The once distant fleet of British warships was much clearer now. They lingered merely a mile or two off shore. Francis Key stared coldly at the merciless army. He braced for the words that would begin the bombardment of Ft. McHenry. Ready… Aim… FIRE! The words rang through the air as hundred of cannon balls rained through the sky. A deafening boom thundered from shore as the first cannon ball struck ground. More followed. The glowing fires illuminated the crumbling fort as screams echoed through the air. Men were shouting on the ground in attempt to evacuate the fort. The cannon fire continued showering the fort but the now tattered flag stayed upright. “Focus all fire on the flagpole.” One of the commanding officers ordered. “We mustn’t stop until it lies on the ground like the useless piece of cloth that it is.” The cannons re-poised themselves to aim at the flag. All the while Francis Scott Key was scurrying to tell the prisoners what was happening before the chaos continued. FIRE! Cannon balls were tearing through the sky once more. Each one landed a direct hit at the flagpole, and yet it remained standing. At last, after several rounds of useless attempt to bring down the flag, the British were forced into surrender. After being allowed back ashore along with the other prisoners Francis Scott went to investigate the crumbling Fort McHenry. He gasped when he saw what had been holding the flag at such an awkward angle. Hundreds of dead bodies of his fallen comrades were lying around the pole. Men who had died for their country, knowing they wouldn’t live to see their victory. Later, in his notebook, Francis Scott Key wrote the worlds that would be remembered to this day: Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that Star - Spangled Banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? Even now we sing this song and honor this flag to honor those who gave their lives for our country: Fifty stars for fifty states… Thirteen stripes for the thirteen original colonies… Red for valor and bloodshed… White for purity and innocence… And blue for perseverance and justice. To me this flag and this song stand for honor to those who died so we could be happy, the ones who perished for our country, the ones who stood up for the American way, and the ones who offered what we have today: Liberty and Justice for All.
1 Comment
Maxine Holmes
12/18/2022 08:22:55 pm
Brickhead described what is each of our minds and hearts in America ! He is a very good artist too . He would make an excellent History Teacher bringing to life all that happened !
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