The Gathering Room

~ I AM 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.

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 atValley 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 there

I led my troops,

I was dirty, battle-tested and tired,

but my soldiers cheered me

And I was proud.

America has been attacked by cowardly fanatics

And many lives have been lost

But those who would destroy me cannot win

For I am the symbol of freedom,

 

Of one nation Under God Indivisible

 

With liberty and justice for all.

 

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.

Author Unknown