Star-Spangled Banner

Dear Editor:
There has been some controversy over the “Star Spangled Banner” being sung in Spanish. The Spanish version is nothing new. It has been around since the 1920s. The controversy should not be over the language the song is sung in but over the song itself.
“The Star Spangled Banner” would be a fine anthem for our nation’s military. It was written during the War of 1812 and adopted as our anthem in 29i31 during the Great Depression and about midway through President Hoover’s term. It is fine for the army to sing, but as a nation I believe we need to adopt a new anthem that represents our country and leaves out the “bombs bursting in are and the rockets red glare.” Especially at a time when we are involved in two senseless wars, we need a national anthem that talks about America and its beauty, not its perceived right to dominate the world.
A more fitting song would be “America the Beautiful.” Or “This Land Is Our Land.” Even Lee Greenwood’s 1983 country and western classic, “God Bless the USA,” would be more fitting, and it even mentions servicemen.
“The Star Spangled Banner” should be reserved for the military only. A new anthem should be adopted for civilians to sing, for school children to sing about the proud history of our country, and for use at ball games, parades, and other activities. The war songs should be left to the warriors, and the warriors should be brought back to our shores to sing it at home.
David Shipp
Nevada, Mo.