"Old Glory" Updated

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 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 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 than 200 years...

Gettysburg, Shiloh, Appomattox, San Juan Hill, the trenches of France, the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome, the beaches of Normandy, the jungles of Guam, Okinawa, Japan, Korea, Vietnam,

in the Persian Gulf

and a score of places long forgotten by all but those who were with me.

I was there.

I led my sailors and Marines ... followed them ...

I watched over them.

They love me.

I was on a small hill in Iwo Jima.

I was dirty, battle-worn,

and I was at ground zero in New York City on September 11th

as cowardly fanatics attacked America.

I was raised from the ashes of once-proud buildings by brave firefighters,

heroes who risked their lives to save others,

showing all that America,

though bloodied,

will never be beaten.

Those who would destroy me cannot win,

for I am the symbol of freedom,

of one nation under God,

indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

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 on the streets

of my own country,

and when it is by those whom I have 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 sailors, Marines, soldiers and airmen,

or when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving parent

at the grave site of their fallen son or daughter,

I am proud.

My name is Old Glory.
Long may I wave.

Dear God, long may I wave.
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