OUR FLAG

I recently saw the piece below titled "Remember Me?" by David C.Graham in the newspaper and it really touched me.I am not a vet,but I do Love this country, and I have the utmost respect for all the men and women who fought and died to keep this country free.It really bothers the hell out of me when I am at some sort of event,and they play our National anthem, and people continue to talk,don't remove there hats, and in some cases,don't even bother to stand up! These people seem to forget that this is THE GREATEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD!!!! They seem to forget that,in all likelyhood,someone in there own family fought or died to preserve the freedom which they so easily take for granted !!! I wish everyone could read the piece below,so PLEASE,send this to everone you know !

Remember me?

Hello,Remember Me? 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 might talk it over with you- because it is about you and me.

I remember some time ago, people would line up on both sides of the street to watch the parade, and naturally I was leading every one, 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, were standing there, straight as a soldier. You did'nt have a hat, but you were giving the right salute. Remember your little sister? Not to be out- done, she was saluting the same as you with her right hand over her heart - remember?

What happened ?

I'm still the same old flag. Oh, I've added a few more stars since you were a boy, and a lot more blood has been shed since those parades of long ago.

But now, somehow, I don't feel as proud as I used to feel. When I come down your street, you just stand there with your hands in your pockets.You may give me a small glance, and then you look away. I see children running around you shouting; they don't seem to know who I am.

I saw one man take his hat off, then he looked around, and when he did'nt see any- body else take off their hat, he quickly put his on again.

Is it a sin to be patriotic today?

Have you forgotten what I stand for,and where I have been ? Anzio, Guadacanal, Korea, Vietnam !!!

Take a look at the memorial honor rolls, and see the names of those patriotic Americans who gave thier lives to keep this republic free. When you salute me , you are actually saluting them.

Well, it won't be long until I'll be coming down your street again.

So when you see me, please stand straight and place your hand over your heart, and I'll know that you remembered. I'll salute you by waving back !!!

by David C. Graham

Email: grumpy@erienet.net