The people always stood at attention; even the children.  Men removed their hat and held them over their left shoulder.  You could always tell the soldier;  He stood at attention and gave a salute of respect.

    It seems as though people have lost their sense of values and priority; even the children don't know what to believe anymore.  I know I'm getting old; but there is still a lot of spirit left in me; I still go into battle regardless of my age.  I was in the lead; many fearful times:  The Civil War, World War 1, World War 2, Korea, Viet Nam, then the 100 Day War called, "Dessert Storm."

    I'm as fearless as I ever was; always at the front of the line.  Giving the Men and Women who went to fight a sense of Security, Hope and Pride.

    I think my most vivid horrible memories of War; was the War between the States.  The infamous "Civil War."  I was not proud to fly in this one, because I was pulled between two great forces; The Confederate and The Union; or as it is called "The North and The South."

    This was a terrible sin; Brother against Brother; Father against Son.  What a shame!!  All because of slavery.  No one has the right to own an other human being; to use them as animals.  Most were treated worse than they do their animals!  

    Another battle I was not proud to lead was the awful confrontation with Korea and then Viet Nam.

    We came home, not as Heroes; as in other wars; but as a forgotten lot of men and women; who had fought and died for their country.   Only to have the country they loved so much, turn their backs on them and deny them their rights.  As Veterans of Foreign Wars!

     It took some twenty years to get their rights as Veterans and thirty more years for some to be released from prison camps; Oh, God!  There is still some there!!

    When they take me down and put me away for the night; Oh!  How I cry for the men and women who are still not accounted for to this day.  At least I did not forget them.

    One of the Battles that did make me proud to lead was the Battle of a tiny little island in the South Pacific.  Thinking it would be an easy task; our superiors were greatly surprised that such a small island was so hard to conquer.  After many thousand of lives on both sides and many months of fierce fighting, I was finally raised on the sandy shores of the small island that has become so painful to remember:  Iwo Jima.

    Does anyone remember who fashioned me?  I was designed by a lady who offered to make a Flag for the newly formed United States.  Her name was Elizabeth (Betsy) Ross.

    She was ordered to give me thirteen stripes.  Alternating Red and White; which is emblematic of any political union.  I had thirteen stars in a Blue field which represented a new Star Constellation.  As time went by and more States joined the Union; the 4th of July was picked to be the Day to celebrate the induction into the Union; with a new star.

    I was so beautiful and proud.  I flew high, wide and unfurled for everyone to see.

    I have shed my shadow of protection throughout this land since 1776, when the first Flag was raised on Prospect Hill, Somersville, Massachusetts.  "In compliance to the United Colonies", declared our first President General George Washington.

    Now it's the nineteen nineties; I'm afraid for the younger generation.  Some say, it's only a piece of cloth!  That they can burn or desecrate me to express their opinions, but I feel I stand for more than just the cloth I'm made of!!

     So Why Me?  If you want to protest; go to your government!  The one's who make the laws!  Speak out!  Then stick by your convictions.  That is why we have a Democracy; a chance for everyone of us to change what we feel is not right by being able to cast our votes.

    These are the things our forefather's fought and died for; they are written in our Constitution.

    One famous person once said, "A house divided against it's self shall not stand.:  This is a very scary time for me.

    I see the government divided; so how can we expect our homes to pull together?

    For this reason; If I could; I would fly myself at Half Mast.

    I often think, "God help us, if I ever cease to fly over this land and another Flag takes my place."