A Good Reminder

HELLO . . . REMEMBER ME?

Some people call me Old Glory.

Others call me the Star Spangled Banner.

But whatever they call me, I am your flag --

the flag of the United States of America.

Something has been bothering me, 

so I thought I might talk it over with you -- 

because, you see, it is about you and me.

I remember some time ago people lined up on both sides

of the street to watch a parade and naturally I was

leading every parade, proudly waving in the breeze.

When your Daddy saw me coming he immediately removed 

his hat and placed it against his left shoulder so that his

hand was directly over his heart.

Remember?

And you, I remember you.  

Standing there straight as a soldier.  

You didn't have a hat but you were giving the right salute.  

Remember little sister?  

Not to be outdone, she was saluting the same as you -- 

with her right hand over her heart.  

Remember?

What has happened?  I'm still the same old flag.  

Oh, I have a few more stars since you were a boy.  

A lot more blood has been shed since those parades of long ago.

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; 

I may get a small glance and then you look away.  

I see the children running around and shouting.  

They don't seem to know who I am.  

I saw one man take his hat off, then look around.  

He didn't see others with theirs off so he quickly put his back on.

And what about that night at the baseball game?  

When they played the Star Spangled Banner and I waved so

proudly in the breeze -- nobody bothered to sing.  

They stood up all right as a sort of mild patriotic gesture but

then they talked among themselves about the game and the weather. 

They didn't sing; I felt hurt.

Is it a sin to be patriotic anymore?  

Have you forgotten what I stand for and where I've been? 

Anzio, Guadalcanal, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, 

and the many countries where our Armed Forces have been 

stationed as Peace Keepers.  

Take a look at the Memorial Honor Rolls sometime, 

of those who never came back to keep this Republic free.  

When you salute me, you are actually saluting them.  

One Nation Under God.

I may not be coming down your street for a long time.

It seems that patriotic parades are a thing of the past.

But when I do, won't you do me a favor?  

Stand up straight-- place your right hand over your heart --

and if they play the Star Spangled Banner, sing out loud and clear. 

I'll salute you by waving back.

Show me that you remember!