The birthday party was celebrated in a number of locations, but one of the biggest gatherings was about 35 miles to the south of the path around the Falls. If there would have been a cake, blowing out 200 candles would have taken a very deep breath, but the 75,000 fans at Lambeau Field could have taken care of the task in short order.
The real estate market seemed to be up a bit for the birthday event. The top posted price for parking was $35, but many lots had spots that were going for $30. It looks like property values are up this season, but maybe it was just a one-time hike because of the birthday party.
It would have been hard to ask for any better weather for the season-opening game at Lambeau, which made for high spirits in lots of different forms before the game. The midafternoon kickoff meant lots more time for the tailgaters to get in the spirit.
If the fan focus was on the birthday party, it came just prior to the start of the game when former NFL player and Green Bay Packers alumni Esera Tuaolo sang the national anthem. A special video tribute was played as part of the pregame ceremonies.
Sunday marked the 200th anniversary of the morning in which Francis Scott Key was inspired to write the words to a poem that we know as “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Many of us recall all the pomp and circumstance of the nation’s bicentennial in 1976. It was a big deal that commemorated the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which led to the Revolutionary War.
It was another war, known as the War of 1812, with the American victory at the Battle of Fort McHenry that inspired that verse. The final conclusion of that war was another victory for the upstart nation. Of special significance was that as a British concession at the end of the war, the land we now know as Wisconsin was ceded to the United States.
The words were put to music, but the song was not officially adopted as the national anthem until 1931. It was first played at an athletic event in the 1918 World Series and grew to be an ever-expanding tradition since that time, including each Packers game at Lambeau Field and almost every Oconto Falls High School athletic event.
So how do you celebrate the birthday of a song? It would be rather strange to sing “Happy Birthday” to a song, but it might be fitting. If an individual chose to send a birthday card, addressing the card might be a challenge.
Often the Lions Club and other groups will begin a meeting with a song. On Thursday, that was the case for the Oconto Falls Lions. A song was suggested from the official song book, but before that could be taken up, the approaching birthday was noted, and the Lions switched to that number. While the sound was full-bodied, it’s not likely that the singers will be asked for a repeat performance from the 50-yard line at Lambeau Field. If the group were scheduled, the price for parking would not be going up.
Patriotism is rekindled each time a performer does a rendition of the song to mark the start of a contest. There are many styles and interpretations that bring out the spirit of the message. Teaching history through music can be very moving. May we always recall and pay tribute to those who helped make this the land of the free and the home of the brave.
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