REMEMBER ME? > > Hello - remember me? I'm your flag. Some folks call me Old Glory, > others just call me the > Stars and Stripes, the Ensign, or just... the flag. But whatever they call > me, I am your flag. And, as I proudly state, The Flag of The United States > of America. > Something has been bothering me lately. I was wondering if I might talk > it over with you. It's about you and me. I remember some time ago (I think > it was Memorial Day, or was it the 4th of July) when people lined up on > both sides of the street to watch a parade. When your father saw me coming > along, waving in the breeze, he took off his hat and held it against his > left sholder. His hand was directly over his heart. Remember? > And you. I remember you! Standing there strait as a soldier. You didn't > have a hat on, but you gave the correct salute.They taught you in school to > place your hand over your heart. Remember your little sister! Not to be > outdone, she was saluting the same of you. I was proud, very proud, as I > came down the street. Oh, yes, there were some Servicemen there, standing > at attention, giving the salute. Ladies as well as men, civilians as well > as military, paid me respect - reverence. > Now, if I sound a bit conceited... well... I have a right to. I > represent the finest country in the world - and The United States of > America. More than one aggressive nation has tried to haul me down, only to > feel the fury of this freedon loving country. Many of you had to go > overseas to defend me. A lot more blood has been shed since those patriotic > parades of long ago and I've had a few stars added since you were a boy, > but I'm still the same old flag. > Dad is gone now... and the hometown has a new look. The last time I > came down your street, I noticed that some of the old landmarks had given > way to a number of new buildings and homes. Yessir, the old town sure has > changed. I guess I have to, cause I don't feel as proud as I did back then. > > I see youngsters running and shouting through the streets, college boys > and girls disrupting our campuses, people selling hot dogs and beer while > out National Anthem is played... everything from apathy to riots. They > don't seem to know or care - who I am. Not too long ago, I saw a man take > off his hat when I came by... he looked around, didn't see anbody else with > their's off... so he quickly put his back on. > Now - when i come down your street, you just stand there with your hands > in your pockets. Occasionally, you give me a small glance then look away. > When I think of all the places I've been... Normandy, Guadacanal, Iwo-Jima, > Battle of the Bulge,Korea, and Vietnam; I wonder - what happened? I'm still > the same old flag. > How can I be expected to fly high and proud from buildings and homes > when within me, there is no thought, love or respect for me? Whatever > happened to patriotism? Your patriotism? Have you forgotten what I stand > for? When you salute me, you salute them. Take a look at the Memorial Honor > Rolls sometime. Look at the names of those who never came back. Some of > them were friends or relatives of yours... maybe even went to school with > you. That's what your saluting - NOT ME! > Well, it won't be long before I come down your street agian. So, when > you see me, stand strait, and place your hand over your heart. Do this > because I represent you. You'll see me wave back, my salute to you..... >