Novi Singers Attempt National Anthem World Record
NOVI (WWJ) -- Residents and staff members of Fox Run Retirement community in Novi sported their best red, white and blue while reciting the Star Spangled Banner in an attempt to set a world record on Friday.
The record attempted was for the largest inter-generational singing of America's National Anthem.
With the anthem turning 200-years-old this year, the song took on a deeper meaning to some of those performing -- Bruno Morelli, 93, served in the Army during World War II.
"It is very meaningful, especially as a GI," Morelli said. "It is something that is valuable to the American country."
A couple other retirement communities in other states took part in the attempt to set the world record also.
Ruth Kettle, one of the participants, said that she isn't as good of a singer as she used to be, but that she really wanted to set the record.
"I think it's a great idea," Kettle said. "We'll hope we do it."
The group should know if the record has been set within a few days.
Bernie Balser said that he believes that after 200 years, the Anthem's message still holds up.
"Every bit of it applies to the loyalty that we should have to support our government, even though we may not agree with everything they do," Balser said.
Nan Goshorn has a unique connection with the Anthem -- her great-great-grandfather was in the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812.
"He had a wife and children, so he must have seen that flag," Goshorn said. "It's exciting to me for that reason."
Francis Scott Key wrote the "Star Spangled Banner" in 1814 which was originally a poem and later adapted into the country's anthem.
