The Commanding Officer of Temecula Valley Young Marines has launched Operation National Anthem this Operation actually falls under "Project National Anthem". Our unit has taken on the responsibility of helping those at Project National Anthem out by spreading the word in Community and getting everyone to jump on board learn and sing our National and never let it be forgotten.

A recent Harris poll found that two out of three American adults don’t know all of the words to "The Star-Spangled Banner" – and many don’t even know which song is our National Anthem or why it was written. But where did the people who do know the words say they learned "The Star-Spangled Banner" and other patriotic music? At school!

Sadly, budget cuts to school music programs in recent years have led to dwindling opportunities for students to learn an important part of their cultural heritage – patriotic music. The members of The National Association for Music Education (MENC) – our nation’s music teachers – want all Americans to know our National Anthem and to take pride in singing it together ... and for all children to have access to music in school. We’ve launched the National Anthem Project to raise awareness about the importance of supporting and funding school music programs. We believe every child deserves a complete education that includes music and all the benefits it brings to their lives.

This exciting campaign is supported by some of the country’s leading organizations and individuals. Mrs. Laura Bush serves as Honorary Chairperson, music legends the Oak Ridge Boys are Official Musical Ambassadors, and the Jeep_® brand is our national presenting sponsor. Other sponsors include NAMM – the International Music Products Association (our national music industry sponsor), The History Channel, Bank of America, Gibson Musical Instruments, ASCAP, and Conn-Selmer, Inc. The official student travel and concert provider is the American Musical Salute. Our supporters include Girl Scouts USA, the Walt Disney Company, the National Football League (NFL), the National Basketball Association (NBA), and the American Legion.

For Operation National Anthem the Temecula Valley Young Marines will unite their Community of Temecula, California with help from the City Officials to join in a simultaneous singing of the National Anthem Broadcast to Washington, DC with the First lady on Flag day June 14th, 2007. This will be the biggest mass singing of the National Anthem across the Country. The CO urges all Young Marines and units to join in this Operation along with Project National Anthem. Click on the link below and register with Project national Anthem.

The Star Spangled Banner
1814
Words by Francis Scott Key, Music by John Stafford Smith (1st verse)

O say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
O say does that star spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave?