Why revise the third verse of our National Anthem?

Born in the bicentennial year of 1976, I grew up with a deep sense of patriotism for this great land and the history of our founding fathers. In college, I painted abstracts of the American flag on canvas and etched the lyrics of “God Bless America” into thick copper plates, for reproduction onto heavyweight artisan paper.

I am not trained in songwriting. I do not have a degree in history, and I’ve received neither permission nor commission to rewrite a few lyrics of our beloved anthem. I simply love our country, am a peacekeeper by nature, and only suggest that perhaps “The Star-Spangled Banner” could be delicately altered to finally be accepted by all.