During RFD-TV's The American presented by DISH, fans were treated to a moving video of Meredith Looney LaMirande's poem, "Why I Stand." Read the complete poem below.

Why I Stand
By: Meredith Looney LaMirande
I don’t do it out of obligation,

I don’t do it because I’m told.

I don’t do it because I was trained,

I don’t do it to be bold.

I stand for our National Anthem, because I’m forever grateful to be free.

I stand for the Anthem to respect, those before me.

The broad stripes and bright stars, are symbols of freedom which is rare.

The type of freedom that was won, while bombs burst in the air.

I stand for bravery dating back, to the Revolutionary War.

Battling the greatest army, not knowing what was in store.

I stand for the heroes who stormed Normandy, that fatal day.

Accepting that the ultimate sacrifice, might be the price to pay.

I stand for our twin towers, as a tribute that we have not forgotten.

I salute our military for ending, our fear that was Bin Ladin.

Our children are born, with rights and freedoms at birth.

How blessed are we to live, in the greatest nation on Earth.

Where democracy is our foundation, and there is opportunity for all.

A country free from oppression, our Lady Liberty stands tall.

A first class military whose dedication, is second to none.

Patriots ready to perform, when the war must be won.

We have wounded warriors who would return, if only they could,

Doing more for this country, than any single person should.

Heroes have fallen, their caskets draped in red, white and blue.

Stand up, sing along, their lives were given for you.

So as long as the star spangled banner, yet wave.

I stand for the land of the free, and the home of the brave.




Link to original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?...nh4&feature=youtu.be

Thanks for posting that. It reminds me of the Lee Greenwood song. This tears me up every time I hear it:


Lee Greenwood Lyrics

"Proud To Be An American"

If tomorrow all the things were gone I'd worked for all my life,
And I had to start again with just my children and my wife.
I'd thank my lucky stars to be living here today,
'Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away.

And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.

From the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills of Tennessee,
Across the plains of Texas, from sea to shining sea,

From Detroit down to Houston and New York to LA,
Well, there's pride in every American heart,
And it's time we stand and say:

I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land! God bless the U.S.A.

And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up... next to you and defend her still today.
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.

Toby Keith and Trace Adkins also have recorded songs that choke me up when I hear them. We need more of that in this country.

I'm not crying. My eyes are just celebrating!

Dang!!

There goes my screen getting all cloudy.

That video fully exemplifies the difference in attitude and perspective between the heart and soul of this country and the coastal elites who look down their noses at all of us. May god bless this country and all those who stand for her.

I like it, well done!

Maybe it should be shown to the members of the NFL?

I went to the Ft Worth Stock Show earlier this year, my first major rodeo ever, and I had never seen anything like it in my life. The opening ceremony was the most patriotic presentation I have ever seen. Everybody was standing up, hats all off, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, along with the National Anthem and words of prayer and faith. The flags, bunting, the gobo lights, etc all contributed to the overall effect. After we all sat back down in our seats, my wife whispered "this would be illegal back in CA"

quote:

Originally posted by az4783054:
Thanks for posting that. It reminds me of the Lee Greenwood song. This tears me up every time I hear it:


Lee Greenwood Lyrics

"Proud To Be An American"

If tomorrow all the things were gone I'd worked for all my life,
And I had to start again with just my children and my wife.
I'd thank my lucky stars to be living here today,
'Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away.

And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.

From the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills of Tennessee,
Across the plains of Texas, from sea to shining sea,

From Detroit down to Houston and New York to LA,
Well, there's pride in every American heart,
And it's time we stand and say:

I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land! God bless the U.S.A.

And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up... next to you and defend her still today.
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.

Toby Keith and Trace Adkins also have recorded songs that choke me up when I hear them. We need more of that in this country.

In my misspent youth I had a girlfriend whose dad did not entirely approve of me. He tolerated my presence as long as I went to church with them and their lovely (hawt) daughter. One Sunday they played Lee Greenwood's song you posted and I could not contain my emotion. My eyes were wet and nose sniffley. I caught him staring at me and hid my face. After the ceremony he walked me out to the parking lot and shook my hand. I never had problems with him from then on......even after I broke up with his daughter by two timing her.

I tear up with those, too. And there are several other songs that do it for me: God Bless America, America the Beautiful, The Star-spangled Banner (our National Anthem), America ("My Country 'Tis of Thee"), Taps, and some I can't think of right now. I am a patriotic softie who is not ashamed to cry.

Regarding God Bless America--no one has ever sung it like Kate Smith, and (for me) no one ever will. She OWNED it (actually true--Irving Berlin gave it to her, and she gave it to the Boy Scouts).

flashguy