Hello! Remember Me?

Some 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... 

There has been something that has been bothering me, so I thought that I might talk it over with you here today.  

I remember some time ago,
(I think it was Memorial Day, or was it Veterans' Day?) that people were lined up on both sides of the street for a parade.
A high school band was behind me and, naturally, I was leading the parade. When your Daddy saw me coming along waving in the breeze, he immediately removed his hat and placed it so that his right hand was directly over his heart.  

 And you - I remember you.  

Standing there as straight as a soldier,  
you didn't have any hat,   but you were giving me the right salute.   
Remember, they taught you in school to place your  right hand over your heart, and little sister,  not to be outdone, 
was saluting the same as you. There were some soldiers  home on leave and they were standing at attention  giving the military salute.  
Oh, was very proud as I came down your street  that day.  

Now, I may sound as if I am a little conceited,  Well I am!  

I have a right to be, because I represent you,  the people of the

United States of America.  

But what happened? I am still the same old flag.  Oh, I have a couple more stars  
added since you were a boy. A lot more stars  added since the beginning of this  
country, and lot more blood shed since that  patriotic day so long ago.  

Now I don't feel as proud as I used to. When I  come down your street, some  
people just stand there with their hands in their  pockets and give me a small  
glance and then look away. I see children running  around and shouting. They  
don't seem to know who I am.  

Is it a sin to be patriotic anymore? Have some  people forgotten what I stand  
for? Have they forgotten all the battlefields  where men have fought and died to  keep this nation free? When you salute me you are  actually saluting them!  

Take a look at the memorial rolls some time. Look  at the names of those who  
never came back. Some of them were friends and  relatives of yours. That's whom  you are saluting, not me!  

Well, it won't be long until I'll be coming down  your street again. So, when you  
see me, stand straight, place your hand over your  heart and you'll see me waving  
back-- that's my salute to you. And then I will  know you remember who I am...  

AUTHOR . . . UNKNOWN