It’s not every day you watch an impromptu video from a regular person on the Internet and get massive patriotic chills—because you know it’s just that special—but this rare performance is the exception.
Star Genleah Swain, Florida resident and assistant principal at Jefferson Middle/High School, was in Washington D.C. when a friend asked her to sing on camera in front of the historic Lincoln Memorial.
Swain was hesitant and didn’t want the attention, but finally gave in and said yes.
When she started singing people around the memorial were still active, kids playing and parents snapping pictures, but soon they all stopped in their tracks as Swain’s booming voice echoed off the Lincoln statue and reverberated throughout the memorial.
At the end of the song, the entire audience burst into applause. They had all witnessed something incredibly special, and they knew it.
Abraham Lincoln, our 16th president, was assassinated just after the end of the Civil War on April 14, 1865. Known for his work to abolish slavery, Lincoln is an iconic figure for both freedom and equality. The inspirational statue is 19 feet tall and was carved by the Piccirilli brothers. It took four long years to complete—and it was the perfect setting for this small but beautiful act of patriotism.
Here are a couple of responses that capture the beauty of the moment.
“I haven’t heard the Anthem sung with this much passion since Whitney Houston did back in 1990 at Superbowl 25…as a retired Marine you made me feel awesome,” wrote Jay Dillinger.
“Beautiful person. Beautiful woman. Beautiful voice. Beautiful American spirit. It’s people like her that help make America great!!” wrote Mike Riedel.
“Omg! Look at how everyone stopped what they were doing to listen to this young lady sing the National Anthem at the Lincoln Memorial! AMAZING! She needs to sing the National Anthem at the 2017 Super Bowl!!!!!” Wrote Nay Michelle.
In response to the overwhelming love on social media, Swain wrote these beautiful words on her Facebook page, “I see now, God is getting ready to do something big from what wasn’t even planned…almost 1M views. Thank you so much Kermit Virgil and my Marching 100 fam for spreading it like wildfire…and my friends and family who put me up to it! And alllllll the ppl who have sent literally hundreds of messages, blessings, and compliments. Love you all!!!!!”
Hats off to you Star—and we agree—God is doing something big in and through you!
