Passing two lads in the park,
He noticed something, though almost dark;
There was a cloth on the ground,
A cloth that the boys had recently found.

With cold gray eyes, he looked their way,
Then tears fell as he bowed to pray;
"God, give me strength, show me what to do,
To teach them respect for
the red, white and blue."

"Mister, why are you crying, what did we do?
It's just an old rag that's red, white and blue;"
"That cloth you call just an old rag,
Is Old Glory ... our nation's flag."

"There's 13 stripes and 50 stars,
Blood was shed for those bars;
Each star represents one great state,
Pick up the flag, it's not too late."

"But mister, why are you angry?
Oh, what did we do?
It's still just a rag
That's red, white and blue."

He bent his head and closed his eyes,
Then looked at the boys and said with a sigh,
"This is your flag, a sight to behold,
A symbol of freedom worth more than gold."

"Our freedom to speak and think as we choose,
For this, our ancestors paid their dues;
They fought in wars, and gave their lives,
Fever took their children and their wives."

"These were your families as well as mine,
We put their honor on the line;
So our flag can fly for all to see,
Symbolizing freedom for you and me."

"Mister, we're so sorry, what can we do?
We'll brush off the dirt from
the red, white and blue;
And put up a pole here in the park,
Fly her with pride from morn til' dark."

The three stood still and silence was strong,
The boys knew now why they were wrong;
As they gazed upon that tattered flag,
Their hearts told them this was no rag.

For everything worth having
Demands work and sacrifice,
And freedom is a Gift from God
That commands the highest price.

For all our wealth and progress
Are as worthless as can be,
Without the Faith that made us great
And kept our country free.

Nor can our nation hope to live
Unto itself alone;
For the problems of our neighbors,
Must today become our own.

And while it's hard to understand
The complexities of war,
Each one of us must realize
That we are fighting for
The principles of freedom
And the decency of man,
And as a Christian nation
We're committed to God's Plan.

And as the Land of Liberty
And a great God-fearing nation.
We must protect our honor
And fulfill our obligation.

So in these times of crisis
Let us offer no resistance,
In giving help to those who need
Our strength and our assistance.