My Name Is Old Glory

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 great institutes of learning.
I stand guard with the greatest military 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 respected.
I am revered.  I am loved.  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, the beaches of
    Normandy, the rice paddies and jungles of Guam, Okinawa, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and Guadalcanal.
And a score of places long forgotten by all but those who were with me.
I was there.

I led my troops.  I followed them.
I watched over them.  They loved me.
I was on a small hill in Iwo Jima.
I was dirty, battle-worn and tired.
But my soldiers cheered me and I was proud.
I have been soiled, 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 done by those with
    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 hour comes when I am torn into strips to be used as bandages for my wounded comrades on the field
    of battle,
When I am flown at half-mast to honor my soldier,
Or when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving mother at the grave of her fallen son.
I am proud.  My name is Old Glory.
Dear God, long may I wave.

Howard Schnauber
WWII Marine
Published in 1994