QUEEN ELIZABETH II

[Personal post from JA]

Queen Elizabeth II passed away on Thursday, September 8, 2022. As the face of the British Empire, she had her detractors, but I think it's fair to say that her 70-year reign sets her apart as one of the most universally loved and respected people in history.

As the many tributes from around the world are being paid to her and anecdotes from her reign are being widely shared, I was particularly touched by one poignant moment.

Two days after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks against the United States, Queen Elizabeth directed the Coldstream Guards military band to play the Star Spangled Banner during the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. Breaking a tradition of more than 300 years, she did this to give comfort and hope to America and Americans - many of whom were stranded in England at the time. Footage of the event shows people in the crowd weeping and waving tiny American flags.