Yeah, I like the 4th of explosions. But its really more about seeing beyond the explosions.
Its hard to explain to those who have never seen a night sky lit up by a battle: so much happening lit by muzzle flashes and flares, explosions and night vision. A sight of anything clear is a rare gift. ("I can't see shit!" is one of the top ten phrases uttered in any large-scale combat.)
The idea of seeing that chaotic, shitty light from across a bay... And seeing the flag still flying.
A country-sized version of a candle in the window, saying, "we're still here. We're not alone. And we're not lost yet."
Pretty powerful shit.
And yeah, maybe our culture has glossed over that. But it keeps popping up anyway.
It doesn't necessarily have to be the stars and stripes flying over fort McHenry.
It can be the wands all firing into the sky over Hogwarts.
It can be the Death Star burning up in orbit over Endor.
Its still that candle in the window.
We're here.
We're not alone.
We haven't lost yet.