Welcome to Heal the Wounded Spirit
The purpose of the Heal the Wounded Spirit Website is first and foremost to glorify God –
- to honor the America’s Patriots and Founding Fathers –
- to honor and protect the flag of the United States of America
- to encourage the singing America’s Patriotic Music -
- to revive Patriotism –
- to challenge the reader to read, ask questions, and research history using documented sources
- to encourage the verbalizing of faith and America’s heritage –
- to honor those serving in America’s armed forces and America’s veterans -
- to take a stand on what is right
- to return to the home-production of patriotic items as well as made-in-the-USA everyday products –
- to pass on the true gift of liberty to our children and grandchildren – freedoms anchored in faith – freedoms declared in the Declaration of Independence - secured in the Constitution of the United States of America and the Bill of Rights, yet, the very same freedoms that have been under attack for decades.
Inspiration for the patriotic portion of the Heal the Wounded Spirit website comes from the 4th verse of the Star Spangled Banner - words rarely sung – words giving God the glory for preserving America as a nation in the War of 1812.
Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Francis Scott Key, “Star Spangled Banner” 4th verse – 1814
***
In 1814, Francis Scott Key was an eyewitness and survivor of the 25 hour bombardment against Fort McHenry. Miraculously, the fort survived. The Stars & Stripes survived. And in the aftermath of the battle, Key penned words on the back of an envelope – words that would eventually become America’s National Anthem.
Stormy weather made the fighting more arduous. The Stars & Stripes – the storm
flag measuring 25’ by 17” – though battered by cannon fire, wind and rain –
majestically flew above the rampart. But as the British ships sailed away in shameful
defeat, Major George Armistead ordered the massive garrison flag – the 42’ by 30’
flag - to be raised on the 90’ pole. Men sang “Yankee Doodle” – a taunting ridicule to
the British sailors. They fired their guns – celebrated in a similar manner as the
Patriots celebrated when the British soldiers surrendered following the Battle of
Yorktown in 1781.
One hundred and seventeen years later, in 1931, the United States Congress by
congressional act made the Star Spangled Banner the official National Anthem of the
United States. The song had previously been adopted by the Army and Navy. By this
act of congress, God is anchored in America’s heritage.
Yet, the actual Star Spangled Banner - the flag accepted by the Continental Congress
on June 14, 1777 – the flag of the United States of America of which we sing, is NOT
protected by congressional act.
In 1968, the U.S. Congress passed the Flag Desecration Act. The act made it illegal to “knowingly” cast “contempt” upon any flag of the United States by publicly “mutilating, defacing, defiling, burning or trampling upon it." In 1990, this act of Congress was overruled by the Supreme Court – judges who deemed desecration of the American Flag to be a person’s right of free-speech.
On July 27, 2006, the U.S. Senate (for the second time) failed to pass a constitutional amendment banning desecration of the American Flag by a vote of 66-34. The amendment was one vote short of passing. This failure by the Senate to protect the Flag continues to make the “right” of “free speech” more important than the most valued symbol of the United States of America – the American Flag.
Today, the American Flag – the Stars & Stripes – “Old Glory” remains unprotected. Across the country, many school children know little of the American Flag – its history – the sacrifices made – the heartfelt, undying respect it has held for generations.
Without congressional protection, America’s most treasured symbol of freedom is vulnerable – an item (or victim) that can, and, is being abused. And, as the flag of the United States of America bears the violation, the people of America bear the woundedness.
Since the days of the earliest explorers, America has endured and survived much –
wars - epidemics - natural disasters – acts of terrorism.
But no war or terrorist attack has threatened America’s existence
more than the war America is now battling –
a Moral, Ethical, Cultural, and Spiritual War.
For decades the stronghold has taken root.
The intent is clear: to redefine America –
to devalue the meaning and worth of the American Flag –
to disconnect the faith of America’s Forefathers from America’s freedom.
Ronald Reagan, 40th President of the United States, understood the importance of faith & freedom.
“If we ever forget that we are one nation under God,
we will be a nation gone under.”
Ronald Reagan
***
An America with a distorted or forgotten heritage is an America “gone under.”
Abuse wounds deeply – assaults a victim’s spirit.
War wounds deeply – assaults a nation’s spirit.
Survivors of abuse long for healing of unseen woundedness.
So, too, does America’s heart and spirit long for healing –
long for a patriotic & spiritual revival!
***
In 1787, James Madison understood the magnitude of the Patriots’ victory in winning the Revolutionary War. He understood the responsibility of future generations in preserving the liberty they had so valiantly fought for, and so willing died to gain.
“They accomplished a revolution which has no parallel in the annals of human
society. They reared the fabrics of governments which have no model on the
face of the globe. They formed the design of a great Confederacy,
which it is incumbent on their successors to improve and perpetuate.”
James Madison, Federalist No. 14, November 30, 1787
***
Faith, freedom, and patriotism are keys to the future.
The words penned by brave patriots in 1776 are as important today
as they were 235 years ago.
“And for the support of this Declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence,
we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”
Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776
***
Peter Marshall, who daily prayed before the Senate, offered the following petition. His words are even more urgent today than they were 60 + years ago.
“Lord Jesus, thou who art the way, the truth, and the life; hear us as we pray for the truth that shall make all free. Teach us that liberty is not only to be loved but also to be lived. Liberty is too precious a thing to be buried in books. It costs too much to be hoarded. Help us see that our liberty is not the right to do as we please, but the opportunity to please to do what is right.”
Peter Marshall before the U. S. Senate – Senate Chaplin 1947-1949
***
“With firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence,” America’s woundedness can be healed.
