OLD GLORY

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 everyone, 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?

What happened?  I am still the same old flag.  Oh I have 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 the street, you just stand there with the 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 didn't see anybody else take off their hats, he quickly put his back on again.  Is it a sin to be patriotic today?  Have you forgotten what I stand for, and where I have been?  Anzio, Guadal Canal, Korea, and Vietnam, and several other places that people don't know about.
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 will be coming down your street again.  So when you see me, please stand straight and place your hand over your heart, and I will know that you remembered.  I will salute you by waving back.