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 at me 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,
the trenches of France,
in the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome
and the beaches of Normandy.
Guam, Okinawa, Korea and KheSan, Saigon, Vietnam all 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.
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 soldier,
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
DEAR GOD IN HEAVEN
LONG MAY I WAVE.
"author unknown"
I place these ribbons on this page in memory of those injured or lost on this fateful day, in gratitude to those who gave so much of themselves to help others in this time of need, and to our service men and women stationed all over the world. Feel free to take one to display on your website or email.
This series of photographs shows hijacked United Airlines Flight 175 as it approaches (upper L) and impacts the World Trade Center's south tower (L), bursting into flames and raining a hail of debris on lower Manhattan September 11, 2001. A gaping hole in the north tower (R) can be seen following a similar attack earlier in the day. Three hijacked planes crashed into major U.S. landmarks September 11, destroying both of New York's mighty twin towers and plunging the Pentagon in Washington into flames, in an unprecedented assault on key symbols of U.S. military and financial power. REUTERS/Sean Adair
Remains of the facade of Two World Trade Center is all that stands after Tuesday's terrorist attack Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2001 in New York. (AP Photo/Nick Fanelli)
A fire truck sits in front of the damaged area of the Pentagon as firefighters and rescue workers continue to battle smoke at the U.S. military headquarters across the river from Washington, September 12, 2001. The Pentagon reopened for limited business as rescue teams pressed a perilous search for hundreds of missing defense workers. (Larry Downing/Reuters)
Here's my banner if you would like to link back to my memorial pages. Please link it to http://www.ourspecialkids.org/911/
Special thanks to Erica for making my wonderful banner!
