Posted by Lisa Butts on May 01, 2006 at 15:10:00:
The Hanford West Band from Hanford California just returned from a trip to Washington DC. A major component of our trip was to learn the words to our National Anthem. We visited Fort McHenry in Baltimore, the site of the battle about which Francis Scott Key penned the words to our National Anthem. Members of our band helped to raise a replica flag like the one flown over the Fort that morning after the battle. Our students will never forget the words to our National Anthem because they now have real meaning. I would encourage all educators to make a visit to Fort McHenry with their students. It will instill in them a greater pride in their country
and also a better understanding of the sacrifices that were made to ensure the liberty of our great nation.
Lisa Butts
Director of Bands
Hanford West High School
Hanford, CA 93230
lbutts@hjuhsd.k12.ca.us