Honoring Our Veterans - Challenge

Hi. You probably know me – I’m famous throughout the entire world as a symbol of hope and freedom. My name is Old Glory. That’s right, the flag of the United States of America.

Yes, I am a flag. But really, I am so much more than that. Like the country that I represent, I am viewed by many people around the world as the quintessence of liberty. Sure, there are people in the world who despise me because they hate America. They spit upon me, they trample me, and they burn me. Thankfully, though, those people are in the minority. Fortunately, there are many people who admire America. Those who love America love me, too. They are proud of me and they treat me with great respect.

I have been around a long, long time. I was there when America was born. Of course, like everything on this planet, I look much different now than I did many years ago. For the most part, though, I have always been a conglomeration of stars and stripes – red, white, and blue. And although my designs have varied, the intent has not. I was always meant to represent the union of the many states and people that make up this great nation. Even after the South seceded from the Union during the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln would not allow any stars to be removed from my field. It remained intact, as did the unity of the United States. Today my field contains fifty stars, one for each of the fifty states in this grand country.

These days I can be found flying high and proud atop the White House and the Capitol in Washington, but also at practically every school, schoolroom, government building, post office, church, and sports stadium in the land. You can see me atop flagpoles at peoples’ homes, or hanging from stands over their doorways. You can see me driving by on many vehicles, and on the uniforms of those people who have dedicated their lives to serving and protecting us all. I am even standing proud on the moon!

And yes, during these dark days of terrorism and hatred, I am still flying high in places outside the USA. I fly over American embassies in foreign lands, both friendly and unfriendly.

I also travel with the many American soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who are risking their lives to make our country and our world a better and safer place in which to live. These brave men and women have sworn to uphold and protect the very ideals that I represent. They carry me into battle with them. And if one should fall during combat, another is quick to pick me up and resume the march. I have seen many ugly conflicts in my time, but also many heroic events. I have been hoisted in victory after battle, both as a symbol of America’s might and the freedom that was won or preserved.

I am also there to escort the fallen heroes home. In honor and reverence to those who gave their lives fighting for me, for America, and all that we are, I am lovingly placed upon the casket of those who perished in battle. There I remain until the last note of “Taps” has been blown from the bugle, whereupon I am removed and gently folded, so that I can be presented to the heroes’ loved ones. I am not meant to replace them. I am to serve only as a reminder of that for which these brave people gave their lives.

I now find myself performing this duty more and more often these days. Make no mistake, though - I do it willingly and in honor of those who fought for me. I will never forsake them. But if I had my choice, I would much prefer to be flying high from a flagpole at their home as they gaze up at me admiringly, alive and far from war.


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rjhjr - ID #843882