Oh, Say Can You See...

Friday night I went to a collegiate hockey game. When the teams lined up to sing the national anthem, the wireless mic the singer had failed.

The crowd waited, but soon the impatient started singing. Soon the whole stadium was singing the national anthem with no overpowering PA burying the voice of the people.

I still get goosebumps thinking about it. Holy is not the right word to describe the atmosphere but it comes close. Some people seemed hesitant to sing, but our voice carried and grew, as those of us who knew the words led those near us who didn't. I believed I glimpsed the strength of America, the goodness that unites us, the joy that comes from personally lifting this country up as we remind ourselves of things usually taken for granted.

Then the PA system kicked in and some mediocre singer on a stadium sound system drowned us out. Busy life took over. The media wonks should have just left it off.