"I Am The Flag"
Midi playing is ~ "Patriotic Medley"
I am the flag of the United States of America. I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice. I bow to no one! I have fought in every battle of every war I was there at San Juan Hill, I led my troops, America has been attacked by cowardly fanatics I have been burned, torn and trampled I have been soiled upon, burned, torn I have slipped the bonds of Earth When I am torn into strips and used as bandages MY NAME IS OLD GLORY
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 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 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.
for more than 200 years.
I was flown at Valley Forge, Gettysburg,
Shiloh and Appomattox.
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 was dirty, battle-tested and tired,
but my soldiers cheered me
And I was proud.
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.
on the streets of countries I have helped set free.
It does not hurt, for I am invincible.
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.
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.
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.
LONG MAY I WAVE.
Author ~ Howard Schnauber
© 1994
To learn more about this wonderful man, Howard Schnauber,
go to Fort Collins Public Library's Local History Archive.
