Independence Day Program / Here We Have Idaho

Chris, my Mom in the white jacket, the back of Caleb's head, Jenny, Me, and Derek

At 7:30 a.m on July 4th Derek and I and a few family members went to an Independence Day program outside of my sister Tina's church.  The chairs were metal and therefore felt like we were sitting on ice blocks, but the program was great.  Someone posted the colors of The United States of America and the national anthem was sung by a girl with a beautiful voice.  She sang 2 verses, including my favorite which says, in part:

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.

There was a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence,  and afterwards 13 people representing each colony stepped forward one at a time accepting the Declaration in behalf of their state, and shooting their muskets.  Then there was a very well given speech, and we ended with all of us singing God Bless America. 

There was one other thing.  Before we read the declaration of independence we "sang" the Idaho State Song -- a cappella.  Those of us from Utah didn't know it, and those from Idaho -- mostly didn't know it.  Or at least couldn't follow the complicated melody without accompaniment.  And then, there were the words.  I'm afraid we thought they were amusing though I am sure they were not meant to be, and I do feel a little bad about how much entertainment they provided for the rest of the day.  The chorus is:

And here we have Idaho
Winning her way to fame
Silver and gold in the sunlight blaze
and romance lies in her name

I guess we weren't convinced that there was much romance in the name Idaho.

All in all, it was a great program, and I think there should be more good programs like this one on Independence Day to help remind us what we are celebrating, and how much we have to be thankful for.