I just bought a new flag for Memorial Day, as mine was getting pretty old.  I always fly one and always will.

I understand the free speech conflicts in the whole flag burning debate, but for me, the flag will always be a symbol of intense pride.  I will always fly it with pride.

Here is a tasty clip I posted last year.

Hot Air remembers too.

Here is something I heard read during an assembly once when I was in the Air Force.  I recently found it again:

I am the flag of the United States of America
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 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 worshiped - 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 the
beaches of Normandy.
Guam, Okinawa, Korea and KheSan,
Saigon, 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 is 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 soldiers,
Or 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!

Trackposted to Rosemary’s Thoughts, third world county, Nuke Gingrich, Woman Honor Thyself, Right Truth, Walls of the City, The Pink Flamingo, , and Right Voices, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.