Remember Flag Day june 14

Hello, remember me? Some people call me Old Glory, others call me the Stars and Stripes; also what ever they call me, I am your flag or, as I proudly state, the flag of the United States of America.
There is something that has been bothering me, so I thought that I might talk it over with you. Because it is about you and me.
I remember sometime ago—I think it was Memorial Day—people were lined up on both sides of the street to watch the parade. The town’s 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 against his left shoulder so his 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 the right salute. They taught you in school to place your hand over your heart. Remember little sister—not to be out none, she was saluting the same as you. I was very proud as I came down your street. There were some soldiers home on leave and they were standing at attention giving the military salute. Ladies, as well as men, all paying me the reverence that I deserve.
Now I may sound as if I am a little conceited. Well, I am. I have a right to be. Because I represent the finest country in the world, the United States of America. More than one aggressive nation has tried to haul me down but all felt the fury on this freedom-loving country. You know, you had to go overseas and defend me.
What happened? I’m still the same old flag. Oh, I have a couple more stars added since you were a boy. A lot more blood has been shed since the Memorial Day so long age. Dad is gone now. The old home town has a new look. The last time I came down your street I saw that some of the old landmarks were gone, but in their place, shinning majestically in the sun were a number of new buildings and homes. Yes sir, the old town sure has changed.
But now I don’t feel as proud as I used to. When I come down your street, you just stand there with your hands in your pockets and give me a small glance and then looked away. When I think of all the places I have been, Anzio, Guadalcanal, Korea—now Vietnam. Then I see the children running around and shouting, they don’t seem to know who I am. I saw one man take his hat off and then look around. He didn’t see anybody else with theirs off so he quickly put his back on.
Is it a sin to be patriotic any more? Have you forgotten what I stand for? Have you forgotten all the battlefields where men fought and died to keep this nation free? When you salute me, you are actually saluting them.
Take a look at the Memorial Honor Rolls and The Wall. Look at the names of those who never came back. Some of them were friends or relatives of yours. You probably went to the same school with some of them. That’s what you are saluting. Not me.
Since Mr. Scott wrote this I have been to Granada, Panama, Somalia, Bosnia, and the Persian Gulf Twice. Still some people want to burn me. They say it’s their right. I don’t understand but I was carried into battle to defend their rights. But you still remember and for that I thank you.
Now they say the US troops can’t carry me into battle anymore. They have to carry a Blue Flag of the United Nations. Does this mean I’m no longer respected by the leaders of the United States or are they, the officials, afraid people will rally around me again? I hope that people just remember that I stand for freedom.
Well, I see I’m back at the head of my troops again where I belong. Leading the way to free another country and get rid of a bad government. We have had another election , the new president sys he doesn’t want to wear me on his lapel. Why is that “Mr. President” are you ashamed of what I stand for? As said before I stand for FREEDOM.