Kudos to Northbridge Middle School;
Honoring Veterans (without Censoring “God”)
Kevin M. Nelson, November 9, 2012
This morning I had the pleasure of attending the annual “Veteran’s Day Celebration” at my daughter’s school. Following a very emotional video montage of our Nation’s finest, in action abroad, greeting loved ones, and arriving in flag-draped caskets, the children of the Northbridge Middle School gave an honorable musical performance.
The performance started with some costumed fifth graders offering great quotes on war and peace from our Founding Fathers to Lincoln, Roosevelt to JFK, and a last remark by Gandhi. The show marched onward with a singing of the Preamble of the Constitution, and our National Anthem. Each class then lined the stage once again, this time decked-out in colors and hats for each of the military branches and certain elite forces. Throughout all of the introductory monologues, the audience was treated to select morsels of American military history.
As each class took on their respective roles to sing the songs of each branch, the other children could be heard singing as well. Represented were: The Army, The Air Force, The Navy, The Marines, The Green Berets, and The Coast Guard, with a special group whose theme was solely honoring them all. When The Marines’ song began, three aging gentlemen, without hesitation, stood upright from within the otherwise seated auditorium, not to return to the seated position until the song had concluded and one was heard saying “Hoo-Rah!”.
It is important to note the perfect balance of the event. With every remark or quote about peace, the military’s role in defending and securing that peace was properly amplified and honored. Following an election with a very liberal outcome, I sat with a mild sense of cynicism, waiting for a United Nations delegation of children to appear on the stage and demand a weapons ban. Thankfully, no such globalist agenda would emerge to tarnish this great celebration.
The most note-worthy aspect of this event, in my opinion, was the unapologetic use of “God” and references to Him in these important songs of patriotism: “God Bless America”, “God Bless the USA”, “my eyes have seen the Glory of the coming of the Lord...Glory, Glory Hallelujah”…among others.
(I assure you; the First Amendment was not harmed, infringed, or otherwise violated by this.)
After the celebration came to a close, I had an opportunity to see my daughter and let her know how wonderful the performance was, a rare treat for a Friday morning when I would otherwise be off at work.
Though I came close to pulling a wet-eyed John Boehner a few times throughout this morning’s very meaningful tribute, I managed to get through it all without tear-filled incident. Nevertheless, I would be dishonest to claim the well orchestrated celebration left me unmoved, and if such a claim be made by any other in attendance, surely they are without a soul.
As we observe Veteran’s Day this weekend, be sure to thank someone who has stood, or is currently standing, in the gap between peace and disaster, and between freedom and tyranny. We may be living under an administration with hidden and unsavory agendas. We may have to one day take up arms to save the republic from those who govern it. But one need only look to nations abroad to put in perspective the level of freedoms and liberty we still currently enjoy here in The United States of America. For that, we owe a deep debt of gratitude to our Veterans.
May God Abundantly Bless and Protect our Nation’s Soldiers and Veterans,
and through our repentance, Forgive and Once Again Mightily Bless America.
Honoring Veterans (without Censoring “God”)
Kevin M. Nelson, November 9, 2012
This morning I had the pleasure of attending the annual “Veteran’s Day Celebration” at my daughter’s school. Following a very emotional video montage of our Nation’s finest, in action abroad, greeting loved ones, and arriving in flag-draped caskets, the children of the Northbridge Middle School gave an honorable musical performance.
The performance started with some costumed fifth graders offering great quotes on war and peace from our Founding Fathers to Lincoln, Roosevelt to JFK, and a last remark by Gandhi. The show marched onward with a singing of the Preamble of the Constitution, and our National Anthem. Each class then lined the stage once again, this time decked-out in colors and hats for each of the military branches and certain elite forces. Throughout all of the introductory monologues, the audience was treated to select morsels of American military history.
As each class took on their respective roles to sing the songs of each branch, the other children could be heard singing as well. Represented were: The Army, The Air Force, The Navy, The Marines, The Green Berets, and The Coast Guard, with a special group whose theme was solely honoring them all. When The Marines’ song began, three aging gentlemen, without hesitation, stood upright from within the otherwise seated auditorium, not to return to the seated position until the song had concluded and one was heard saying “Hoo-Rah!”.
It is important to note the perfect balance of the event. With every remark or quote about peace, the military’s role in defending and securing that peace was properly amplified and honored. Following an election with a very liberal outcome, I sat with a mild sense of cynicism, waiting for a United Nations delegation of children to appear on the stage and demand a weapons ban. Thankfully, no such globalist agenda would emerge to tarnish this great celebration.
The most note-worthy aspect of this event, in my opinion, was the unapologetic use of “God” and references to Him in these important songs of patriotism: “God Bless America”, “God Bless the USA”, “my eyes have seen the Glory of the coming of the Lord...Glory, Glory Hallelujah”…among others.
(I assure you; the First Amendment was not harmed, infringed, or otherwise violated by this.)
After the celebration came to a close, I had an opportunity to see my daughter and let her know how wonderful the performance was, a rare treat for a Friday morning when I would otherwise be off at work.
Though I came close to pulling a wet-eyed John Boehner a few times throughout this morning’s very meaningful tribute, I managed to get through it all without tear-filled incident. Nevertheless, I would be dishonest to claim the well orchestrated celebration left me unmoved, and if such a claim be made by any other in attendance, surely they are without a soul.
As we observe Veteran’s Day this weekend, be sure to thank someone who has stood, or is currently standing, in the gap between peace and disaster, and between freedom and tyranny. We may be living under an administration with hidden and unsavory agendas. We may have to one day take up arms to save the republic from those who govern it. But one need only look to nations abroad to put in perspective the level of freedoms and liberty we still currently enjoy here in The United States of America. For that, we owe a deep debt of gratitude to our Veterans.
May God Abundantly Bless and Protect our Nation’s Soldiers and Veterans,
and through our repentance, Forgive and Once Again Mightily Bless America.