to the flag
of the United States of America
and to the Republic
for which it stands,
one Nation
under God,
indivisible,
with liberty
and justice for all.
Some may call it old fashioned but I still feel pride when I see the American Flag waving in the breeze.
by Charles Evans Hughes
The flag is the symbol of our national unity, our national endeavor, our national aspiration.
The flag tells of the struggle for independence, of union preserved, of liberty and union one and inseparable, of the sacrifices of brave men and women to whom the ideals and honor of this nation have been dearer than life.
It means America first; it means an undivided allegiance.
It means America united, strong and efficient, equal to her tasks.
It means that you cannot be saved by the valor and devotion of your ancestors, that to each generation comes its patriotic duty; and that upon your willingness to sacrifice and endure as those before you have sacrificed and endured rests the national hope.
It speaks of equal rights, of the inspiration of free institutions exemplified and vindicated, of liberty under law intelligently conceived and impartially administrated. There is not a thread in it but scorns self-indulgence, weakness, and rapacity.
It is eloquent of our community interests, outweighing all divergencies of opinion, and of our common destiny.
The Citizens Flag Alliance is a broad-based, nonpartisan, nonprofit, national organization, which was formed to persuade Congress to pass a constitutional amendment restoring to the Congress the power to enact flag-protection laws.
The United States Flag is the one symbol that so readily and clearly says "America". We are a nation of diversity and the one unifying symbol of all Americans in war and peace is the United States Flag.
Please check out the information available on the web site of the Citizens Flag Alliance and follow the link to the Show Your Colors America page.
Some call me Old Glory, others call me the Stars Spangled Banner, but
whatever they call me, I am your Flag - the Flag of the United States of
America.. Author unknown
There has been something that has been bothering me, so I thought that I
might talk it over with you here today.
I remember some time ago, (I think it was Memorial Day, or was it Veterans
Day?) that people were lined up on both sides of the street for a parade. A
high school band was behind me naturally, I was leading the parade.
When your Daddy saw me coming along waving in the breeze, he immediately removing his hat and placing it so that his right
hand was directly over his heart.
And you - I remember you.
Standing there as straight as a soldier, you didn't have any hat, but you were
giving me the right salute. Remember, they taught you in school to place your
right hand over your heart, and little sister, not to be outdone, was saluting
that same as you. There were some soldiers home on leave and they were
standing at attention giving the military salute. Oh, I was very proud as I came
down your street that day.
Now, I may sound as if I am a little conceited, Well I am!
I have a right to be, because I represent you, the people of the United States
of America.
But what happened? I am still the same old flag. Oh, I have a couple more
stars added since you were a boy. A lot more stars added since the beginning
of this country, and lot more blood shed since that patriotic day so long ago.
Now I don't feel a proud as I used to. When I come down your street, some
people just stand there with their hands in their pockets and give me a small
glance and then look away. I see children running around and shouting. They
don't seem to know who I am.
Is it a sin to be patriotic anymore? Have some people forgotten what I stand for?
Have they forgotten all the battlefields where men have fought and
died to keep this nation free? When you salute me you are actually saluting
them!
Take a look at the memorial rolls some time. Look at the names of those who
never came back. Some of them were friends and relatives of yours. That's
whom you are saluting, not me!
Well, it won't be long until I'll be coming down your street again. So, when you
see me, stand straight, place your hand over your heart and you'll see me
waving back-- that's my salute to you. And then I will know you remember
who I am...
