Flag Day Tribute

[Gator Claus]

The “My Name is Old Glory” is a writing that I first heard and recited as a group in 1995 during my Chief Petty Officer’s Initiation. 14 new Chief Selectees stood beneath the flagpole at sunrise on a hot Georgia morning overlooking the water and recited this passage just like the Drill Team would, after raising “Old Glory.” (And you wonder, wear I get my ideas from, huh?) It was written by SMSgt. Don S. Miller, USAF (Ret) as a way of remembering his brother John F. Miller, a Gunnery Sergeant in the Marine Corps.

My Name Is Old Glory

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 great institutes of learning. I stand guard with the greatest military 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.<b> I am worshiped. I am saluted. I am respected. I am revered. I am loved.

And I am feared.<br style="mso-special-character:line-break"> </b>

I have fought every battle of every war for more than 200 years...<b>Gettysburg, Shiloh, Appomattox, San Juan Hill, the trenches of France, the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome, the beaches of Normandy, the deserts of Africa, the cane fields of the Philippines, the rice paddies and jungles of Guam, Okinawa, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, the deserts and mountains of Iran and Afghanistan, and a score of places long forgotten by all but those who were with me.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break"> </b>

I was there! I led my soldiers. I followed them. I watched over them... They loved me. I was on a small hill in Iwo Jima. I was dirty, battle-worn and tired, but my Marines cheered me when I was raised on that summer’s day and I was so proud!

I have been soiled, 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, burned, torn and trampled on the streets of my country, and when it is by those with whom I represent . . . it hurts. But I shall overcome . . . for I am strong.

I have been a silent witness to all of America's finest hours. But my finest hour comes when I am torn into strips to be used for bandages for my wounded comrades on the field of battle, and when I fly at half mast to honor my veterans... and when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving mother at the graveside of her fallen son or daughter.

I am proud. My name is Old Glory. Dear God . . . Long may I wave!

[Gator Claus]

I apologize for my lack of computer skills but please disregard my message on this topic and read this one.

The “My Name is Old Glory” is a writing that I first heard and recited as a group in 1995 during my Chief Petty Officer’s Initiation. 14 new Chief Selectees stood beneath the flagpole at sunrise on a hot Georgia morning overlooking the water and recited this passage just like the Drill Team would, after raising “Old Glory.” (And you wonder, wear I get my ideas from, huh?) It was written by SMSgt. Don S. Miller, USAF (Ret) as a way of remembering his brother John F. Miller, a Gunnery Sergeant in the Marine Corps.

My Name Is Old Glory

I am the Flag of the United States of America, and 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 great institutions of learning. I stand guard with the greatest military 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 worshiped, I am saluted, I am respected,

I am revered, I am loved. And I am feared.

I have fought every battle of every war for more than 200 years... Yorktown, Trenton, New Orleans, and the night when Francis Scott Key wrote, "Oh can you see..." From Gettysburg and Shiloh to San Juan Hill, the trenches of France, the Argonne Forest, Anzio, the beaches of Normandy, the deserts of Africa, the cane fields of the Philippines, the rice paddies and jungles of Guam, Okinawa, and Vietnam, the cold of Korea and the deserts of Iraq and Afghanistan and a score of places long forgotten by all but those who were with me.

I was there! I led my soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and guardsmen. I followed them, I watched over them... They loved me. I was on a small hill in Iwo Jima. I was dirty, battle-worn and tired, but my Marines cheered me when I was raised on that day in 1945. I was so proud !

I have been soiled, burned, torn, and trampled on in the streets of countries that I have helped set free. It does not hurt... for I am invincible. I have been soiled, burned, torn, and trampled on in the streets of my own country, and when it by those with whom I represent... it hurts.

But I shall overcome... for I am strong!

I have been a silent witness to all of America's finest hours. But my finest hour comes when I am torn into strips to be used for bandages for my wounded comrades on the field of battle, and when I fly at half mast to honor my veterans... and when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving mother at the graveside of her fallen son or daughter.

I am proud! My name is "Old Glory!" Dear God... Long may I wave!

I hope you took a moment or two to reflect and remember the price that has been paid throughout the years to keep "Old Glory" flying over the greatest country on earth! On behalf of the Palm Tree Santas Drill Team, may God continue to Bless all of you, and may God continue to Bless the United States of America!

[Santa Bear Larry]

Thank you Santa Dennis. Wish more people would take time to learn about and respect our flag.

[Eileen Strom]

AMEN!