Happy Memorial Day—What is Patriotism to You?

The winner for this week's Reader Sunshots series "Frozen in Time" goes to Owen Dawson for his picture titled "Vietnam Memorial." Here is a critique by Baltimore Sun director of photography Robert Hamilton. "This was an interesting category. Photographers could interpret the category in many ways such as winter scenes, action photography, or as our winner did, capture a moment in time that gives the viewer a creative perspective. Dawson used just the right control with the field of focus to bring attention to the names on the wall, but still give form to the veteran in the background who had stopped to study the Vietnam Memorial."

The sacrifice and heroism of America’s soldiers is remembered today—Memorial Day. And patriotic song, including “The Star-Spangled Banner,” has and will be part of this day of somber reflection and fun-filled celebration. In fact, in many ways it is the sacrifice of the nation’s fighting men and women that has sanctified music as patriotic. Key’s…

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Inspirational Banners Created by Elementary Students

I recently visited the Brentwood K-6 Lower School (Los Angeles) to share the story of “The Star-Spangled Banner” as well as one of Francis Scott Key’s poems titled “To My Steed.” Before I spoke, however, there were a few announcements and to my delight two students came up to talk about their own Banners—flags they…