I AM THE FLAG
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

I am the flag of the United States of America.
My name is Old Glory.
I fly atop the world's tallest buildings.
I stand watch in America's halls of justice.
I fly majestically over institutions of learning.
I stand guard with power in the world.
Look up and see me.
I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice.
I stand for freedom.
I am confident.
I am arrogant.
I am proud.
When I am flown with my fellow banners, my head is a little higher,
my colors a little truer.
I bow to no one (except God Almighty).
I am recognized all over the world.
I am worthy- I am saluted.
I am loved - I am revered.
I am respected - and I am feared.
I have fought in every battle of every war for more then 200 years.
I was flown at Valley Forge, Gettysburg, Shiloh and Appomattox.
I was there at San Juan Hill, the trenches of France, in the Argonne Forest,
Anzio, Rome and the beaches of Normandy, Guam.
Okinawa, Korea and KheSan, Saigon, Vietnam know me,
I was also there during Desert Storm.
I led my troops, I was dirty, battleworn and tired,
but my soldiers cheered me And I was proud.
I have been burned, torn and trampled on the streets of countries
I have helped set free.
It does not hurt, for I am invincible.
I have been soiled upon, burned, torn and trampled
on the streets of my country.
And when it's by those whom I've served in battle - it hurts.
But I shall overcome - for I am strong.
I have slipped the bonds of Earth
and stood watch over the uncharted frontiers of space
from my vantage point on the moon.
I have borne silent witness to all of America's finest hours.
But my finest hours are yet to come.
When I am torn into strips
and used as bandages for my wounded comrades on the battlefield,
When I am flown at half-mast to honor my soldier,
Or when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving parent
at the grave of their fallen son or daughter,
I am proud.
I still am flown on some of the citizens houses and displayed with reverence.
Some people forget, but that's OK.
I will always be ready to wave to all the passerby's
whenever I am displayed with respect.
I wish that more people knew my history,
but it seems that my history is not being taught to the newer generations,
and I fear that if the trend continues, I will be forgotten in years to come.
Please, I beg everyone to respect what I stand for
and pass the message to future Americans.
MY NAME IS OLD GLORY.

DEAR GOD IN HEAVEN, MAY I WAVE IN PEACE TIME FOREVER. MAY FLY PROUDLY FOR ANOTHER TWO HUNDRED YEARS.

Author Unknown.
Submitted by Joe McConnell