Re: Thank You UK

[" Ann" <annfranchi@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

The Trooping of the Colours - also known as the Changing of the Guard - is
one of the major events in British Pageantry - and it happens three or more
times a day.  It is not just a 'pretty ceremony for the tourists' - it is a
solemn reflection of the readiness of Her Majesty's Household Guard.  (My
father was a Life Guard during his Army Service - 1945 or so.  He had a
horse named Sadie - and that's all I know.)

Imagine for one entire day, playing the British National Anthem instead of
'Hail to the Chief' whenever the President arrived or left.  And imagine
that the President had a full schedule of personal appearances.

(The difference is that 'Hail to the Chief' is representative of the
President and 'The Star-Spangled Banner' is representative of the Country.
In the case of Great Britain, the one piece of music is equally
representative of both the Monarch (and Her Family) _and_ the country.)