Power of Veterans

Recently my sister sent me an email about some genealogy research she is doing. It appears that my grandfather was John Henry Lummus....his mother was Vira Ann (Key) Lummus, her father was Dr. James Henry Key....his father was William Henry Key, his father was John Alfred Key, which was Francis Scott Keys' brother....

So, Francis Scott Key is my great great great great Uncle.... I think!

This prompted further investigation: Every American knows that Francis Scott Key wrote the words to the National Anthem, but few know that the tune was written in 1780 by John Stafford Smith, as "To Anacreon In Heaven," the constitutional song of the Anacreaontic Society of London. Basically a drinking song from an English gentlemen's club.

Listen: http://www.astrococktail.com/anacreon.html

The Star-Spangled Banner was adopted as the National Anthem in 1931.

To paraphrase a Veteran on LinkedIn - The power of the Star-Spangled Banner is not within the Music, but the words attributed to those that fought at Fort McHenry. Have a Happy 4th.

Thank you for your Service and Sacrifice.

"Our power doesn't come from stating that we're veterans, but from using the attributes we've developed as veterans." Lance T. Walker, USAF Veteran