Some people call me Old Glory,
others call me
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 would talk it over with you...
because
you see, it is about you and me.
I remember some time ago
people lined up on
boths sides
of the street to watch a parade,
and naturally I was leading every parade,
proudly waving in the breeze.
When your
Daddy saw me coming
he immediately removed
his hat and placed it
against his left shoulder
so that his hand
was directly over his heart...
remember?
And you, I remember you.
Standing there straight
as a soldier.
You didn't have a hat, but
you were
giving the right salute.
Remember little sister?
Not to be outdone,
with her right hand over her heart...
remember?
I'm still the same old flag.
Oh I have a few more
stars than when you were
a boy. A lot more blood has been shed
since
those parades of long ago.
Right now...
I don't feel as proud as I used to.
When I come down your street
you just stand
there
with your hands in your pockets;
I may
get a small glance,
then you look away.
I see the children running and shouting...
they don't seem to know who I am.
I saw one man take his hat off,
then look
around.
He didn't see others with theirs off,
so he quickly put his back on.
And what about that night
at the baseball game?
When they played
the Star Spangled Banner
and I waved so proudly in the breeze...
nobody bothered to sing.
They stood right up
as a mild patriotic gesture,
but then they talked among themselves
about the game and the weather.
They didn't sing either...
I felt hurt.
Is it a sin to be patriotic anymore?
Have you forgotten what I stand
for and
where I've been...
Anzio, Guadalcanal,
Korea, Vietnam,
Desert Storm,
and the
many countries
where our Armed Forces
have been stationed as Peace Keepers.
Take a look at the Memorial Honor Rolls
sometime,
of those who never came back
to keep this republic free.
When you
salute me,
you are actually saluting them.
One Nation Under God.
I may not be coming down your street
for a long time.
It seems that patriotic parades
are a thing of the past.
But when I do, won't
you do me a favor?
Stand up straight...
put your right hand over your heart...
and if they play
the Star Spangled Banner,
sing out loud and clear.
I'll salute by
waving back.
Show me...
that you remember.
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