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Archiver > OHLOGAN > 1999-05 > 0927779691


From: "Anna Williamson" <>
Subject: [OHLOGAN-L] Fw: Thought I'd share this...
Date: Thu, 27 May 1999 00:34:51 -0400


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.....
>

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