America Still Stands Proud

I am the flag of the
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

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 peace, honor, truth and justice.
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 bow to no one!
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.

I have fought in every battle of every war for more than 200 years.

I was flown at Valley Forge, Gettysburg, Shiloh and Appomattox. I was there at San Juan Hill, in the trenches of France, in the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome and at the beaches of Normandy and Guam.

Okinawa, Korea and KheSan, Saigon, and Vietnam know me ... I was there. I led my troops; I was dirty, battle worn and tired, but my soldiers cheered me and I was proud.

I have been burned, torn and trampled on the streets of countries I have helped set free. It does not hurt, for I am invincible.

I have been soiled upon, burned, torn 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.

I have slipped the bonds of Earth 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.

When I am torn into strips and used as bandages for my wounded comrades on the battlefield; when I am flown at half-mast to honor my soldier; when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving parent at the grave of their fallen son or daughter ... I am proud.

MY NAME IS OLD GLORY

LONG MAY I WAVE.
By Howard Schnauber

The Star Spangled Banner
Francis Scott Key - 1814
O say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
On the shore dimly seen thro' the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wash'd out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
O thus be it ever when free-men shall stand
Between their lov'd home and the war's desolation;
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust!"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

I am your Flag
I was born on June 14th, 1777.
I am more than just cloth shaped into a design.
I am the refuge of the world's oppressed people.
I am the silent sentinel of Freedom.
I am the emblem of the greatest sovereign nation on earth.
I am the inspiration for which
American Patriots gave their lives and fortunes.
I have led your sons into battle from Valley Forge
To the bloody swamps of Viet Nam.

I walk in silence with each of your honored dead,
To their final resting place beneath the silent white crosses,
Row upon row!
I have flown through peace and war, strife and prosperity,
And amidst it all ... I have been respected.

My red stripes
Symbolize the blood spilled
In defense of this glorious nation.

My white stripes
Signify the burning tears
Shed by Americans who lost their sons.

My blue field
Is indicative of God's Heaven
Under which I fly.

My stars, clustered together,
Unify fifty states as one,
For God and Country.

"Old Glory"
Is my nickname,
Proudly I wave on high.

Honor me!
Respect me!
Defend me!
With your lives and your fortunes.

Never let my enemies tear me down
From my lofty position,
Lest I never return.

Keep alight the fires of patriotism,
Strive earnestly for the Spirit of Democracy.
Worship Eternal God and keep His commandments.

I shall remain the bulwark of peace and freedom for all mankind.
I am your Flag.

By Colonel Daniel K. Cedusky,
USAR, Retired

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A Global Tragedy
Can Osama Bin Laden Come Out to Play?
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Remembering the Heroes of the PAPD
Remember the Heroes of Ground Zero
In Memory of Officer George Howard
In Memory of K-9 Sirius
A K-9 Memorial Service
The Hero's Cross
Where was GOD?

What if YOU died tonight?
Patriotic Pages
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