re: land of the free and home of the TIGERS

LSU's mascot refers to a famed Louisiana brigade whose fierce fighting earned them the nickname "the Louisiana Tigers."
Chatham Roberdeau Wheat organized what became known as "Wheat's Special Battalion", or the "Louisiana Tigers."
Arriving in Virginia just in time to participate in the First Battle of Bull Run, Wheat and his Tigers performed well in combat.
Wheat and his battalion served honorably in the Shenandoah Valley Campaign and the Peninsula Campaign. After Wheat’s death, the fabled "Hays' brigade," commanded by Harry Thompson Hays renamed themselves "The Louisiana Tigers" in honor of Wheat.

So when I sing “Home of the Tigers” instead of “Home of the Brave”, I am honoring Brave men who have fought for this country.