Sunday Singalong with Circlemending - Presidents' Day

Happy Presidents' Day! OK, it isn't until tomorrow, but Lincoln's birthday is already passed and Washington's is on the horizon. Let me guess: You don't know many songs about Lincoln or Washington, right? Hmm, that is a shame.

Of course, with my studies of the Civil War, I have learned a number of songs that mention, directly or indirectly, the President of the time. I won't mention them here, leaving them for others to suggest. But let's open it up a little further: how about all the Presidents? I know, I can really be opening things up for some negative stuff as many protest songs have been written about various Presidents (especially during particular time periods), so I am going to request that we remember the purpose of Presents' Day: to honor our Commander in Chief (believe me, I could come up with about 2 dozen negative Presidents' songs). So, now that I have really taxed your brains, let me share one that I have on a 45-rpm record that I have never forgotten. It was written in about 1959 for the campaign of John F. Kennedy, sung by Frank Sinatra (there are actually 2 songs on the record, but I'll just put in my favorite here): "Everyone wants to back Jack, Jack is on the right track, 'cause he has high hopes, high hopes . . ." Check the YouTube version with slides of campaign ribbons, etc.

What do you remember of a song that promotes or honors a President?

I Pledge Allegiance . . .

Well, it's hard to believe that February is nearly over ... and my last blog was on Feb. 1!! I am terrible at this. But I believe in the old adage, "if you don't have something nice to say, say nothing." In this case, it's more "I don't have anything to say"! But today I do.

In the past 6 days I have given 3 presentations and at each location I had the opportunity to face the American flag and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Yesterday, when I again put my hand over my heart and said those words, repeated throughout my life so many times, it occurred to me that most people, as adults, rarely have the chance to repeat that Pledge. When I was in school, each day was started with that oath. But once we reach adulthood, unless we belong to an organization that includes that recognition of our freedom and liberties, we probably do not have occasion to remind ourselves of what that flag represents. I am grateful to have, as my occupation, one that allows me so many opportunities to repeat the Pledge and think of what it means.

This month was one in which we paid special tribute to our past Presidents with a holiday, originally setup to combine the birthday recognitions of Lincoln and Washington, but now arranged more as a time to celebrate a day off from work and special prices at everything from appliance to pet stores. I thought how sad it is that our holidays designed to recognize the importance of our freedoms and honor those who stood for them and, in many cases, died for them, have been reduced to days off work and specials at merchandise establishments.

Just some thoughts I've had of late and a feeling of thankfulness when I face the flag and recite that Pledge I learned originally so many, many years ago.