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!
I am recognized all over the
world.
I am worshipped - 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 Appamatox.
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 there.
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 in the
streets of my 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 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.