Banner Rendition

So much to-do has been made about the difficulty of singing “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Ask the hundreds of first-grade children in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District about the song. Not only have they learned to sing it, but they have sung it solo in front of their classmates. These 6-year-olds sing it with pride and enthusiasm. Even learning-disabled children have succeeded at this task.

Is it that the song is too difficult to sing, or have people not cared enough to try? Strong character is built by accomplishing what might seem to be an impossible task.

It’s thrilling to associate with such courageous and patriotic youngsters as these. Hats off to all teachers everywhere who give their students the opportunity to learn their country’s anthem and to demonstrate their patriotism through song.

CHERYL APGAR, Newport Beach