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Honor America Corps
The Stars and Stripes!
Some people call me Old Glory, others call me the Stars and Stripes; I have also been
referred to as the Star Spangled Banner. But, whatever they call me, I am your Flag, or as I
proudly state ... the Flag of the United States of America.
There is something that has been bothering me, so I thought I might talk it over with you ...
because it's about you and me.
I remember several years ago, I think it was on Memorial Day, people were lined up on both
sides of the street to watch the parade. The town high school band was behind me, and
naturally, I was leading the parade.
When your Dad saw me coming along, waving in the breeze, he immediately removed his hat
and placed it against his left shoulder so that his right hand was directly over his heart.
Remember?
And you. Yes, I remember you. Standing there straight as a soldier. You didn't have a hat,
but you were giving the correct salute. They taught you in school to place your right hand
over your heart. Remember your little sister? Not to be outdone, she was saluting the same
as you.
Oh, I was very proud as I came down your street. There were some soldiers home on leave and
they were standing at attention giving the military salute. Also, some veterans with their caps
at jaunty angles were saluting smartly. Ladies as well as men, paid me the respect I deserve.
Now, I may sound a little conceited, well, I am. I have to be, because I represent the finest
country in the world ... the UNITED STATES of AMERICA.
More than one aggressive nation has tried to haul me down, but they all felt the fury of this
freedom-loving country. Remember?
Many of you had to defend me overseas. What has happened? I'm still the same Flag!
I've had a couple more stars added since you were a boy. A lot more blood has been shed
since that Memorial Day parade long ago. Dad is gone now. The home town has a new
look.
The last time I came down your street, I saw that some of the old landmarks were gone, but
in their place, shining majestically in the sun, were a number of new buildings and homes.
Yes, Sir, the old home town sure has changed!
But now ... I feel a sense of disappointment. When I come down your street, you just stand
there with your hands in your pockets and only give me a small glance when you look or
worse, turn away.
I see children running around and shouting as I pass by. They don't seem to know who I am. I
saw an old man take his hat off, and then look around. He didn't see anybody else with theirs
off, so he quickly put his back on. Others don’t even bother to stand.
When I think of all the places I've been ... Anzio, Normandy, Guadalcanal, Battle of the
Bulge, Korea, Vietnam, and now Iraq and Afghanistan; I wonder what's happened!
I am the same Flag!
Take a look at the Memorial Honor Rolls sometime. Look at the names of those who never
came back, and are resting beneath white crosses on a far away shore or lie beneath the
ocean waves. Some of them were friends or relatives of yours ... maybe even went to
school with you.
That's who you're saluting ... when you salute me! You are also paying honor to the millions
who have and continue to serve our Nation, proudly and courageously.
It isn't wrong to be an American patriot! I know you havn't forgotten what I stand for!
It won't be long until I come down your street again. So, when you see me, stand
straight, place your hand over your heart and you'll see me waving back.
United States Flag
The links to which this site are connected are provided for the purpose of broadening your knowledge.
The presence of commercial links on this page or any other page of this site does not represent an
endorsement by the Corps of those sites nor the sponsors which support them.
As of
August
26, 2006
, the Corps has appeared before
25,119
people.
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