O, Say Did You See?
Two hundred years ago, an up-and-coming attorney never thought the words he scribbled on a piece of paper near Baltimore would turn into the most important lyrics his young country would ever sing. “Frank,” as he was known to friends, had witnessed one of the most remarkable military upsets in U.S. history at Fort McHenry – and the swell of pride he felt led him to pen the words that would later become our Star Spangled Banner. Sunday night, with our good friends Gov. Mike Huckabee, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), the Benham Brothers, and coalition partners, we stood in the shadow of the stars and stripes he honored at First Baptist Church of Charlotte, as the nation was once again facing an uncertain future. From a packed sanctuary in North Carolina to hundreds of churches and homes across the country, we explained why that star-spangled yet waves.
Two hundred years ago, an up-and-coming attorney never thought the words he scribbled on a piece of paper near Baltimore would turn into the most important lyrics his young country would ever sing. “Frank,” as he was known to friends, had witnessed one of the most remarkable military upsets in U.S. history at Fort McHenry – and the swell of pride he felt led him to pen the words that would later become our Star Spangled Banner.
Sunday night, with our good friends Gov. Mike Huckabee, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), the Benham Brothers, and coalition partners, we stood in the shadow of the stars and stripes he honored at First Baptist Church of Charlotte, as the nation was once again facing an uncertain future. From a packed sanctuary in North Carolina to hundreds of churches and homes across the country, we explained why that star-spangled yet waves.
“There is no explanation of America,” Governor Huckabee said, “other than God’s hand of providence.” To the loud cheers of the crowd, he reminded the crowd that we all know how the story ends. “My friends, we win. Our flag still stands.”
It was a tough act to follow, but Senator Cruz was equal to the task, even cracking a couple of jokes about the ridiculousness of politics. “I spent all week in Washington, D.C., so it’s great to be back in America,” he laughed. With his pastor father, Rafael, in the pews, Cruz harkened back to 2 Chronicles 7:14. “Today our land needs healing,” he said. “Tonight is a celebration and tonight is a call to action. It’s a celebration of our shared heritage when this country was founded. It was founded on the radical concept that our rights don’t come from kings, queens or governments, but our rights come from Almighty God.”
It was a sentiment that several speakers echoed, including FRC’s Bishop E.W. Jackson, who had the audience on its feet after just one sentence. “My brothers and sisters, we are in a great struggle for what the Star Spangled Banner represents. We are in a great struggle to determine if the words in that last stanza will remain true for our nation: ‘In God is our trust.’ We have it inscribed at the Capitol Visitors Center in Washington, D.C. It is inked into our currency. It is etched on our coins. It is even reflected in our Pledge of Allegiance. The question is, will it remain indelibly inscribed on our hearts?”
That’s my goal, and I know it’s the goal of Dr. Mark Harris, Dr. Rick Scarborough, and Penny Nance, who all gave passionate pleas for a return to the values and principles that make America the land of the free and home of the brave. As I told the press, we need to put feet to our prayers. If we’re going to change the course of this nation, we’re going to have to change the people who are driving it. Find out how by clicking over to StarSpangledSunday.com and watching the event on-demand.
House Takes Aim at Religious Persecution in the Ranks
From statutory changes, to oversight hearings, to special orders on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, House Armed Services Committee Members under the leadership of Chairman Buck McKeon (R-Calif.) have spearheaded efforts to rollback restrictions against religious expression in the Armed Forces. That vital work continues this week on Friday, September 19th at 8:00 a.m. (ET) when the Subcommittee on Military Personnel convenes to look at the state of religious freedom in the military at present.
As part of a great panel including staunch advocates for religious freedom Michael Berry from The Liberty Institute and Dr. Ron Crews from the Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty, our own Travis Weber, Director of FRC’s Center for Religious Liberty, will be testifying. Travis, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, will be drawing attention to continued incidents that have targeted religious speech in the military and the urgent need for the Department of Defense to adhere to statutory and constitutional guidance that requires protection of our First Freedom. For more details about Friday’s important hearing and to tune in, visit the House Armed Services Committee website here.
This is a publication of the Family Research Council. Mr. Perkins is president of FRC.
