The Flag

[James Casteel]

The Flag

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, arrogant, I am proud.

When I am flown with my fellow banners,

My head is held higher

My colors are truer

I bow to no one!

I am recognized the world over.

I am worshipped and saluted

I am loved and revered,

I am respected and feared.

I have fought in every battle for over 200 years.

I was flown at Valley Forge, Gettysburg, Shiloh and Appomattox.

I was at San Juan Hill, the trenches of France, The Aragon Forest, Anzio, and the beaches of Normandy.

I flew on Guam, and flew proudly amid the bullets of Iwo Jima.

I flew in Okinawa, Korea and Khe San, Saigon and Da Nang.

I am presently in the mountains of Afghanistan and the deserts Iraq.

Where ever freedom is needed I lead my troops.

When I was dirty and battle worn, my soldiers cheered me and I was proud

I have been burned, torn and trampled on the streets of the countries I've set free.

It does not hurt for I am invincible.

I have been soiled, burned and trampled on the streets of my own country,

And when it's done 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 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 hour is yet to come.

When I'm torn into strips and used for bandages for my wounded comrades on the battlefield,

When I am flown at half mast to honor my soldiers who have fallen in battle for the defense of freedom.

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 am the flag of the United States of America.

I did not write this but the first time I read it, I had to copy it to save.

I defy any truly patriotic American to read this and think about it without a tear coming to the strongest eye. I have cried only twice in my life but this brings forth tears of pride.

May Old Glory Forever fly over our great country!