I remember some time ago, I
think it was Memorial Day, people
were lined up on both sides of
the street to watch the parade.
The town high school band was
behind me, and naturally, I was
leading the parade. When your
daddy saw me coming along, waving
in the breeze, he immediately
removed his hat and placed it
against his left shoulder so that
his right hand was directly over
his heart. Remember?

And you. Yes, I remember you.
Standing there straight as a
soldier. You didn't have a hat,
but you were giving the correct
salute. They taught you in school
to place your right hand over your
heart.

Remember little sister? Not to be
outdone, she was saluting the same
as you. Oh, I was very proud as I
came down your street. There were
some soldiers home on leave and
they were standing at attention
giving the military salute. Also,
some veterans with their caps at
jaunty angles were saluting smartly.

Ladies as well as men, paid me the
reverence I deserve. Now, I may
sound a little conceited, well,
I am. I have to be, because I
represent the finest country in the
world ... the UNITED STATES of
AMERICA.

More than one aggressive
nation has tried to haul me down,
but they all felt the fury of
this freedom living country.
Remember ... many of you had to
defend me overseas.

What has heppened? I'm still the
same old Flag. Oh, I've had a
couple more stars added since you
were a boy. A lot more blood has
been shed since that Memorial Day
parade long ago. Dad is gone now.
The home town has a new look. The
last time I came down your street,
I saw that some of the old
landmarks were gone, but in their
place, shining majestically in the
sun, were a number of new buildings
and homes. Yes sirre, the old home
town sure has changed.

But now ... I don't feel as proud as
I used to. When I come down your
street, you just stand there with
your hands in your pockets and give
me a small glance when you look or
turn away.

When I think of all the places I've
been ... Anzio, Guadalcanal, Battle
of the Bulge, Korea, Vietnam, and
now the Middle East; I wonder what's
happened?

I am the same old Flag. But now I
see children running around and
shouting as I pass by. They don't
seem to know who I am. I saw an
old man take his hat off, and then
look around. He didn't see anybody
else with theirs off, so he
quickly put his back on. Is it a
sin to be an American patriot
anymore? Have you forgotten what
I stand for? Have you forgotten
all the battlefields where men
fought and died to keep this
nation, your nation, free?

When you salute me, you are
actually saluting them. Take a
look at Memorial Honor Roll
sometime. Look at the names of
those who never came back, and
are resting 'neath white crosses
on a far away shore. Some of
them were friends or relatives of
yours ... maybe even went to
school with you. That's who you're
saluting ... when you revere me.

Well, it won't be long until I
come down your street again. So,
when you see me, stand straight,
place your hand over your heart
and you'll see me waving back.
My salute to you. I'll show you
that I too remember. The
protected will never know just
how sweet the taste of freedom
really is.