Proud to be an American

Well, I was totally amazed by Renton's First Grade Assembly at Tolbert Elementray.  When they sent the songs home for the kids to practice I couldn't believe my eyes, "Proud to be an American?!"  Really?!  I mean I am ALL for patriotic displays, I just almost didn't believe such a thing existed in public schools anymore.  I kept waiting for the complaints to come along, or for the note saying the assembly had been cancelled due to ACLU intervention. 

But no such announcement came and this Monday I watched with a full heart as all the little First Graders marched into the gymnasium wearing bright red, white and blue, and waving American flags.  The song list went something like this: Yankee Doodle Dandie, Star Spangled Banner, Surfing USA, 50 Nifty United States, and Proud to be an American!  

It's that last song that surprised me the most.  I LOVE that song - growing up a military brat during the 1st and 2nd Gulf Wars, this has special meaning to me.  But the words clearly state, "God bless the USA!" and I kept thinking, maybe they would change the words for the presentation . . . surely there would be "PC police"or anti-religion proponents refusing to let their children sing those words.  Surely there would be some sort of protest . . .

I am so happy to report, I am so proud to say, it does not appear that there was.  I was completely surprised, but absolutely delighted.  All the songs were sung - loudly, clearly and beautifully.

It was one of those moments when I was - truly - Proud to be an American!