This was sent to me in an email and I thought that I'd post it here.

THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES!!!



I Am the Flag of the

Of America

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 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 then 200 years.

I was flown at Valley Forge,

Gettysburg, Shiloh and Appamatox.
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 know me.
I was there.
I led my troops, I was dirty, battleworn 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 in the streets of my country.
And when it's done 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.


Please forward my message to all who still love

and respect me that I may fly proudly

for another two hundred years.

Why is it that we Americans, whenever something like this is written, sung, or whatever, focus so much of it on war? And why is it we find our national war experiences to be what invokes our patriotism?

One would think it is all we ever do and that we have nothing else to be proud of.

Well George, when we all listen to the Democratic politicians and liberal media types (yes, that is redundant) we are constantly lead down the road of class warfare and envy. Divide and conquer. Be proud of something? Not out the mouths of those who control the mainstream media or who represent the Democratic party in government. Especially not with a Republican president. To listen to those people you would think America is a terrible place to live. Some have actually come right out and said it.

Wars seem to be the one time most Americans tend to recognize that we all have a lot in common and a lot to fight for and defend even if our country isn't perfect. Especially wars we didn't start but which are started against us.

Hope that helps answer your query.

I understand this John. But why is it we are brought together in our patriotism primarily by war?

We have achieved so much more. We have developed a society based on the dignity of the individual. We have developed the freedom of the individual as our primary political value. We have created a unified society from people from disparate and differing cultures and value systes. We are held up throughout the world as the place peoples of other nations want to move to. We have developed the greatest scientific atmosphere the world has ever known. Our art, in all it forms, is emulated throughout the world. We can feed the world if we want because of our agriculture. Our economic engine has raised the standard of lving throughout the world.

There is so much we have accomplished. Yes, when we are attacked, we come together as we did after 9/11 and as we should.

But to me, our wars and our success in war is not what this country is about. Our success may come because of what we have accomplished. Who we are goes so much farther than our wars. Why can't we write a poem about our flag that speaks to all of the other great things we are. Why is it always about war?

I think it is too bad when we focus there instead of on all the other things we can rightfully be much prouder of.