Two local schools presented the words and music of "The Star-Spangled Banner" together at their football games on September 15, 2005. The event commemorated the anniversary of the national anthem, and the schools passed out fliers with its lyrics to all spectators at the games of Cambridge-South Dorchester High School and Easton High Schools. A crowd of some 1,000 people sang the song at the same time in two towns.

It was all part of the National Anthem Project, which CC! Mid Shore is promoting as part of a nationwide program to increase awareness of the song, according to The Daily Banner.

"One of the Six Pillars of Character we espouse is Citizenship," said Richard Allen, executive director of CC! Mid Shore. "In this time of natural disasters and trouble overseas, it's important for all of us to reflect on what the National Anthem means, the story behind it, and the timelessness of its message."

According to a recent Harris poll, two-thirds of Americans don't know the words to "The Star-Spangled banner," and few know the historical events the lyrics refer to. These findings inspired the Project.

CC! Mid Shore is bringing the "The Star-Spangled Banner" to citizens in other ways as well. Laura Weldon, Dorchester County coordinator for CC! Mid Shore, recently sang it at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium in Salisbury. More events are on tap.