Monday, July 3, 2023

Music Monday: God Bless America

The 4th of July is tomorrow. Despite all of the not so good things that happen in our county - despite the unrest, despite the down-right unbelievable things people can do to each other, and think it’s ok to do, I still believe this is a great country. Starting on July 1, and continuing until the 7th I am participating in an amateur radio event called 13 Colonies. As a ham radio operator, I am representing Va in this ham radio celebration of the original 13 Colonies. My personal call sign is K2LLC, but as a Va operator I am K2B, or Kilo 2 Bravo. The idea is for radio operators around the world to contact all 13 Colonies, plus the additional stations located in Philadelphia, Great Britain, and France. If you’re really curious, this website offers more information - 13colonies.us I mention this because in the hundreds of contacts I have made so far, you would not believe how many operators have said God Bless America as they sign off with me. Sometimes it is so heart-felt it brings tears to my eyes. So, there are still a lot of us Americans who think America is still something special - me being one of them. A few years ago I flew my drone at the McBride Sign Company parking lot just across the James River from downtown Lynchburg. They have a huge, and I do mean huge American flag that flies year ‘round. The day I flew, the winds were just right and the flag waved beautifully as I parked my drone close to it and watched it wave to Lynchburg. I came back and sat at the piano in the Sanctuary of the church and this arrangement came out. It;’s not the first time I have shared this online, but now more than ever, this is a good time to remind us that God has indeed blessed America, and I hope and trust he will continue to do so.