Today I hope you take the time to be thankful for all that God has blessed you with. And if you live in the United States, you have additional liberties, rights and privileges that other’s elsewhere in the world do not — which calls for more thanks.

I love hearing our national anthem — the “Star-Spangled Banner“. I love the fact that they play it before sporting events. I love seeing others give it the same respect and reverence as I do — standing, removing their hat, and saluting or putting their right hand over their heart. However, I did not know until today that there were additional stanzas. How cool is that? And the fourth one is particularly impactful.

O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation.
Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the Heav’n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved 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!

Here is a video of an old, proud Marine singing it.

Because freedom isn’t free!

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net