I was born on June 14, 1777.
I am more than just cloth shaped into a design.
I am the refuge of the world's oppressed people.
I am the silent sentinel of freedom. I am the emblem of the greatest sovereign nation no earth.
I am the inspiration for which American patriots gave their lives and fortunes.
I have led your sons and daughters into battle form Valley Forge to the bloody ridges of Vietnam to the sand of the Persian Gulf.
I walk in silence with each of your honored dead, to their final resting place beneath the silent white crosses, row upon row.
I have flown through peace and war, strife and prosperity, and amidst it all I have been respected.
My red stripes...symbolize the blood Spilled in the defense of this glorious nation.
My white stripes...signify the burning tears shed by Americans who lost their sons and daughters.
My stars...clustered together, unify 50 states as one, for God and country.
"Old Glory" is my nickname and proudly I wave high.
Honor me, respect me, defend me with your lives and your fortunes.
Never Let my enemies tear me down from my lofty position, lest I never return.
Keep alight the fires of patriotism and strive earnestly for the spirit of your republic, and I shall remain the bulwark of peace and freedom for all mankind.
THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND WHAT IT MEANS
(Red Skeleton)
"I pledge allegiance"
...I promise to be true
"to the flag"
...to the symbol of our country
"of The United States of America"
...each state that has joined to make our country
"and to the Republic"
...a republic is a country where the people choose others to make laws for them. The government is for the people
"for which it stands"
...the flag means the country
"one Nation"
...a single country
"under God. "
...the people believe in a supreme being
"indivlsble. "
...the country connot be split into parts
"with liberty and justice"
...with freedom and fairness
"for all."
...for each person in the country...you and me!
Pledge Allegiance
I pledge allegiance to my Flag
and to the Republic for wich it stands,
one nation indivisible with liberty
and justice for all.
Francis Bellamy, 1892
I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States
and to the Republic for wich it stands,
one nation indivisible with liberty
and justice for all.
At the first National Flag Conference in Washington DC, on June 14 1923, the change was made for clarity.
I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States
and to the Republic for wich it stands,
one nation indivisible with liberty
and justice for all.
Officially recognized by Congress in 1942.
I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States
and to the Republic for wich it stands,
one nation under God indivisible with liberty
and justice for all.
Amended in 1954. President Dwight D. Eisenhower said, "In this way we are reaffirming the transcendence of religous faith in America's heritage and future; in this way we shall constantly strengthen those spiritual weapons which forever will be our country's most powerful resource in peace and war.
SIGNIFICANCE OF FLAG FOLDING
The American flag is folded precisely 13 times and each fold is symbolic.
* The first fold represents life.
* The second fold represents America's belief in eternal life The third symbolizes our remembrances of veterans who dedicated their lives for our land globally.
* Fold number four stands for man's weaker nature and the sustenance given to man by the creator.
* Fold number five is devoted to our nation.
* The sixth fold symbolizes where our hearts lie.
* The seventh fold is dedicated to America's armed forces.
* The eighth fold is a praise for those who entered
the valley of the shadow of death.
* The ninth fold is dedicated to women, having shaped the character of men as love and commitment.
* Fold ten is a dedication to fathers.
* The eleventh is representative of the lower portion of the seal of Kings David and Solomon.
* Fold twelve is representative of eternity.
* The thirteenth and final fold is complete when the stars of the flag are faced up.
HOW TO PROPERLY DISPOSE OF A WORN U.S FLAG
Should you need to dispose of a torn, soiled or badly faded U.S Flag the VFW offers a suggested procedure.
1. The flag should be folded in its customary manner.
2. The fire should be sizable and of sufficient intensity to ensure complete burning of the flag.
3. Place the flag on the fire.
4. The individual(s) should come to attention, salute the flag recite the Pledge of Allegiance and have a brief period of silent reflection.
5. After the flag is completely consumed, the fire should be safely extinguished and the ashes buried.
6. Please make sure you are conforming to local/state fire local or state ordinances.
GUIDELINES FOR FLYING THE U.S. FLAG
1. The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.
2. The flag is never allowed to touch the ground or floor.
3. The flag is never down in inclement weather except when using an all-weather flag.
4. The flag should never be festooned, drawn back or up in fold, but always allowed to fly free.
5. When vertically hung over a sidewalk on a rope extending from the building to a pole, the union stars are always away from the building.
6. The flag of the United States should be displayed at half-staff until noon, and raised to the top of the staff.
7. The flag of the United States should be at the center and highest point when a number of flags of the states or localities or society pennants are grouped and displayed from staffs.
8. On Memorial Day, the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon, and then raised
to the top of the staff.
9. The flag can be flown every day from sunrise to sunset, and at night if illuminated.
10. Do not carry the flag flat or carry thing in it.
1l. Do not use the flag as clothing.
12. Do not draw on, or otherwise mark the flag.
13. Do not store the flag where it can get dirty.
14. Do not use it as a cover.
WHEN TO DISPLAY THE FLAG
The flag may be displayed on all days, and especially on such days as New Year's Day, Martin
Luther King Jr. Day, President's Day, Easter Sunday, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day (half staff till noon then raise to the top), Armed Forces Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, POW-MIA Recognition Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. It should also be displayed on July 27 National Korean Was Veterans Armistice Day (half-staff), September 11 Recognition of September 1l, 2001, September 17 Constitution Day (half-staff), Columbus Day, October 27 Navy Day and December 7 National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (half-staff). It may also be displayed on such other days as proclaimed by the President of the United States; on Senate holidays; and on the birthdays of states (their date of admission to the Union).
I AM OLD GLORY compiled by Pat Michnlski, National Americanism Officer AMVETS
"I Am Old Glory:
For more than ten score years,
I have been the banner of hope and freedom
for generation after generation of Americans.
Born amid the first flames of America's fight for freedom,
I am the symbol of a country that has grown from a little group
of thirteen colonies to a united nation of fifty sovereign states.
Planted firmly on the high pinnacle of American Faith,
my gently fluttering folds
have proved an inspiration to untold millions.
Men have followed me into battle with unwavering courage.
They have looked upon me as a symbol of national unity.
They have prayed that they and their fellow citizens
might continue to enjoy the life, liberty and pursuit of happiness,
which have been granted to every American as the heritage of free men.
So long as men low liberty more than life itself;
so long as they treasure the priceless
privileges bought with the blood of our forefathers;
so long as the principles of truth,
justice and charity for all remain deeply rooted in human hearts,
I shall continue to be the enduring banner of the United States of America.
Originally written by Master Sergeant Percy Webb, USMC
