We all were a little nervous. In front of the best audience ever—seniors in a retirement home, our group had come to sing patriotic songs for July 4. A few of us were able to pick the guitar or tinkle the ivories while we all sang, quite often not on key, but no one seemed to mind.
After singing about half an hour we picked up on the tune, My Country, Tis of Thee, written in 1831 by Samuel Francis Smith. Members in the audience started stirring. Some began singing along with us. Then men stood and saluted, tears running down their faces.
I was humbled. They fought for my freedom.
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