According to The National Anthem Project, a Harris (no relation) Poll indicates that two-thirds of Americans do not know the words to “The Star Spangled Banner,” our national anthem since 1931. That means that over 197 million people who reside in this nation cannot sing the national anthem at any type of gathering. That bothers me.

The National Anthem Project is an effort to teach Americans the national anthem in a year-long tour that aims to be in at least one city in every state of the union in 2006. First Lady Laura Bush is honorary chairman.

One of the reasons behind this effort, according to the executive director of the National Association for Music Education, is school budget cuts to music programs. I don’t remember learning the national anthem in a music class. In fact, we didn’t have music classes until I reached junior high school, and by that time I already knew “The Star Spangled Banner.”

Something else bothers me. Far too many people who do know the national anthem don’t sing it when it is played. Crowds at football games are virtually silent on the song, but their voices are engaged in conversation while it is being played. The same occurs at most sporting events I attend.

One thing I always observe is whether or not professional athletes sing the national anthem when it is played. Sadly, most do not.

Francis Scott Key, who wrote the words later to be put to music and adopted as the national anthem, did so under extraordinary circumstances. During the War of 1812, Key boarded a British vessel to help secure the release of an American who had been captured after Washington was burned. Key was detained for the night and watched helplessly as Baltimore’s Fort McHenry was bombarded by British mortar.

The next morning, as Key observed the American flag still flying over Fort McHenry, he began to compose a poem so the event would be remembered. As his poem grew in popularity, it was set to music and later became the nation’s national anthem.

I grew up learning to be a good citizen of this country. I learned the value of voting and the responsibility I have to participate in the election process. I learned the Pledge of Allegiance and the Preamble to the Constitution. I learned the national anthem, “God Bless America,” and “America the Beautiful.”

I learned the history of this country and why I should be proud and thankful to be a citizen where I am free, where I can express my viewpoint without threat of bodily harm or death, and where I can worship without threat of bodily harm or death. I never take these for granted, always counting them as blessings and responsibilities.

I am afraid that our children are not learning these important truths today. I am afraid that our schools are not teaching citizenship any longer; sadly, many parents are not teaching it either. Voting records verify that millions of Americans do not vote on the local, state or national levels. Children are learning the habits of their parents.

Am I upset when I hear that a Spanish version of American’s national anthem has been published, is being promoted and sung? You bet I am. This is America. The language of the land is English. Learn it.

But I’m even more upset that millions of Americans no longer care about knowing their own national anthem or about singing it when the opportunity presents itself. Those who may be enraged by the Spanish version of the national anthem need to look in the mirror before they cry out so loudly. Do you know the national anthem? Do you understand the meaning of it? Do you sing it? Or do you say, “Oh say, I can’t sing?”

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