REMEMBER!
Remember me? Some people call me Old Glory, others the Star Spangled
Banner, but whatever they call me, I am your flag; the flag of the United
States Of America. Something has been bothering me, so I thought I might
talk it over with you. I remember some time ago people lining up on both
sides of the street to watch the parade and naturally I was there, proudly
waving in the breeze. When your daddy saw me coming, he immediately removed
his hat and placed it over his heart. Remember? You, I recall, stood
there as straight as a soldier. You didn’t have a hat but you were giving
me the right salute. Remember your little sister? Not to be outdone, she
was saluting the same way; her hand over her heart. Remember? What has
happened? I am still the same ol’ flag. Oh, I’ve added a few starssince
you were little, and a lot more blood has been shed since those parades of
long ago. Somehow I don’t feel as proud any more. When I come down the
street now, you just stand there with your hands in your pockets. I may get
a small glance, but then you look away. I see children running about and
shouting but they don’t seem to know who I am. I saw one man take his hat
off but when he looked around and didn’t see anyone else showing respect, he
quickly placed it back on his head. Is it now a sin to be patriotic? Have
people forgotten what I stand for and where I’ve been? …Normandy, Omaha
Beach, Pearl Harbor, Guadacanal, Korea, Veitnam, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait…
Take a look at the war memorials and the names listed there. Those are the
names of those who never returned to their families; they died to keep this
Republic free. “One nation under God.” When you salute me, You are
saluting them. Don’t forget! It won’t be long before you see me coming
down your street again. So, when you see me, stand tall, place your hand
over your heart, breath a prayer of thanks and another one for those who
protect your country. Then I’ll know you haven’t forgotten. Be proud of me
and I’ll be proud of you.
Old Glory
Author unknown.