Oh beautiful, for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For
purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain! America! America! God shed
his grace on thee and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea!
Oh beautiful, for pilgrim feet Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare of freedom beat Across the wilderness! America! America! God mend thine every flaw, Confirm
thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law!
Oh beautiful, for heroes proved in liberating strife. Who
more than self their country loved and mercy more than life! America! America! May
God thy gold refine ‘Till all success be nobleness and every gain divine!
Oh beautiful, for patriot dream That sees beyond the years Thine
alabaster cities gleam Undimmed by human tears! America! America! God shed his grace on thee and crown thy good
with brotherhood from sea to shining sea!
-- Katharine Lee Bates
Today we celebrate Veteran’s Day when we honor all the men
and women who have served or are serving our country. Each year there are parades, special
discounts in stores and restaurants for vets and people expressing their
gratitude for all who served. As I
prayed today I found myself expressing gratitude for the men and women in my
own family who have served. I was
thinking about the many songs associated with veteran’s. The song that came to mind was America the
Beautiful. As I reflected on the words
of the song I was struck with the overwhelming sentiment in it. May we take time today to thank all of those
who have served and pray for the families of those who did not return and those
still unaccounted for. Let us always be
grateful and may God bless the United States of America.
Pat Schifini, OSU
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment