From these ashes...

The Coconut Telegraph ^ | September 18, 2001 | Luis Gonzalez

[Luis Gonzalez]

The Defense of Fort McHenry
by Francis Scott Key
20 September 1814

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, through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through 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 through 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, now conceals, now 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 wiped out their foul footstep's 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.

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner forever shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

[RJayneJ]

I notice one of your graphics is missing. Any time you need a graphic publised send it to me and I'll put it up for you. Nice job.

Quote of the Day by FReethesheeples

[Luis Gonzalez]

I have no clue WHY it won't come up!

Could you put this up for me?

Here's the link.

http://a740.g.akamai.net/f/740/606/1d/image.pathfinder.com/time/photoessays/shattered/flag.jpg

[ladyinred]

Big Bump for an excellent post!

I especially liked, "going through the motions of going through the motions." That says it all.

[Luis Gonzalez]

Thank you very much lady.

Luis

[Critter]

My life's been like that lately too.

I've been alternately angry and numb, and always just going through the motions.

I wish I was 20 years younger, so I could be in boot camp right now. :)

[Critter]

Great piece Luis! I think you put into words what a lot of us feel and haven't been able to express. thank you!

[Luis Gonzalez]

Thanks Critter!

[NautiNurse]

Thank you for the fabulous post! Here is your other graphic.

[Luis Gonzalez]

Thanks NN! For the life of me I don't know WHY it wouldn't post! It drove me nuts last night.

BTW, I have this pain.......

[Luis Gonzalez]

FYI.

[FITZ]

This is a most excellent essay. It sums up many things very very well.

[Iowa Granny]

Thank you Luis. You do exceptionally nice work, and I really enjoy reading your things. You are so kind to share them with us.

This Grandma is watching you, son. Even in times like this, it isn't nice to be hitting on the Nurses.VBG

Thanks again for all you do.

[proud American in Canada]

a beautiful essay!

[Luis Gonzalez]

Thanks FITZ. I don't know who's read this things from the Banana Republican page, so I never know if I should flag people or not.

Thanks for always responding.

Luis

[FITZ]

Flag everybody you can think of to this one. It's one of your best!

[Fiddlstix]

BTTT

[Luis Gonzalez]

Ouch! Busted!

Thanks Granny, and God bless.

Luis

[Luis Gonzalez]

Thanks!

[Luis Gonzalez]

FYI