I AM OLD GLORY
Originally written by Master Sergeant Percy Webb, USMC

I am Old Glory:  For more than ten score years I have been the banner of hope and freedom for generation after generation of Americans.

Born amid the first flames of America's fight for freedom, I am the symbol of a country that has grown from a little group of thirteen colonies to a united nation of fifty sovereign states.

Planted firmly on the high pinnacle of American faith my gently fluttering folds have proved an inspiration to untold millions.

Men have followed me into battle with unwavering courage.

They have looked upon me as a symbol of national unity.

They have prayed that they and their fellow citizens might continue to enjoy the life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, which have been granted to every American as the heritage of free man.

So long as men love liberty more than life itself; so long as they treasure the priceless privileges brought with the blood of our forefathers; so long as the principles of truth, justice and charity for all remain deeply rooted in human hearts, I shall continue to be the enduring banner of the United States of America.

MY DADDY'S FLAG
Written by Senator Bud Gilbert

Mother said my daddy wouldn't be coming home,
Because he's gone to a higher place,
where peace will keep him warm.
He kissed me goodbye just four months ago,
and said he'd be back before I'd turn eight years old.

I cried when he left me
though he told me not to.
He said when I missed him to look at our flag,
that I would find him there,
in the stars and stripes of a piece of cloth
that often brought tears to his eyes.

I asked him not to leave,
but he said he had to go,
because of words I did not understand.
Words like honor, service and responsibility.
Mama says daddy died for what's right.
So boys and girls like me could stay free.

So I keep looking at our flag, hoping I can see
my daddy in those stars and stripes.
Yes, I keep looking at our flag,
hoping to find my daddy there.
But he's gone to a higher place
where peace will keep him warm.

I know my daddy won't be coming home,
but I'll keep flying my flag for him.
And when I grow up some day,
I'm going to do what daddy did,
help keep boys and girls free around the world,
free just like you and me.

Yes, when I grow up one day,
I'm going to know the meaning of those words
that my daddy left for me.
Words like honor, service and responsibility.
So daddy don't you worry about me,
because the flag you died for will always keep me free.

I AM THE SAME OLD FLAG
Author Unknown

Hello, remember me?  Some people call me Old Glory,
others call me Stars and Stripes;
I have been referred to as the Star Spangled Banner.
But whatever 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 I might talk it over with you...
because it's about you and me.
I remember some time 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 that his right hand was directly over his heart.  Remember?
And you, Yes, I remember you.
Standing there straight as a soldier.
You didn't have a hat, but you were giving the correct salute.
They taught you in school to place you right hand over your heart.
Remember little sister?  Not to be outdone,
she was saluting the same as you.
Oh, I was very proud as I came down your street.

There were some soldiers home on leave
and they were standing at attention giving their military salute.
Also, some V.F.W. veterans with their caps at jaunty angles were saluting smartly.
Ladies as well as men, paid me the reverence I deserve.
Now, I may sound 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 they all felt the fury of this freedom loving country.
Remember... many of you had to go overseas to defend me.

What has happened?  I'm still the same old Flag.
Oh, I've had a couple more stars added since you were a boy.
A lot more blood has been shed since that Memorial Day parade long ago.
Dad is gone now, the 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 home town has changed.

But now... I don't feel as proud as I used to.
When I came down your street, you just stand there
with your hands in your pockets and give me a small glance,
then look or turn away.

When I think of all the places I've been...
Ansio, Guadalcanal, Battle of the Bulge, Korea, and Vietnam
I wonder what's happened?  I'm still the same old Flag.

But now I see children running around and shouting as I pass by.
They don't seem to know who I am.
I saw an old 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 an American anymore?

Have you forgotten what I stand for?
Have you forgotten all the battlefields where men fought
and died to keep this nation, your nation, free?
When you salute me, you are actually saluting them.

Take a look at the Memorial Honor Rolls sometime.
Look at the names of those who never came back,
and are resting 'neath white crosses on a far away shore.

Some of them were friends or relatives of yours,
maybe even went to school with you.
That's who you're saluting... when you revere me.
Well, it won't be long until I come down your street again.
So when you see me, stand straight,
place your hand over your heart,
and you'll see me waving back.
My salute to you, I'll show you that I too, remember!

RAGGED OLD FLAG
Written by Johnny Cash

I walked through a county courthouse square,
On a park bench an old man was sitting there.
I said, "Your old courthouse is kinda run down."
He said, "Naw, it'll do for our little town."
I said, "Your flagpole has leaned a little bit,
And that's a Ragged Old Flag you got hanging on it.

He said, "Have a seat", and I sat down.
"Is this the first time you've been to our little town?"
I said, "I think it is."  He said, "I don't like to brag,
But we're kinda proud of that Ragged Old Flag."

"You see, we got a little hole in that flag there
When Washington took it across the Delaware.
And it got powder-burned the night Francis Scott Key
Sat watching it writing "Oh Say Can You See",
And it got a bad rip in New Orleans
With Packingham and Jackson tuggin' at its seams."

"And it almost fell at the Alamo
Beside the Texas flag, but she waved on through.
She got cut with a sword at Chancellorsville
And she got cut again at Shiloh Hill.
There was Robert E. Lee, Beauregard, and Bragg,
And the south wind blew hard on that Ragged Old Flag."

"On Flanders Field in World War I
She got a big hole from a Bertha gun.
She turned blood red in World War II
She hung limp and low by the time it was through.
She was in Korea and Vietnam.
She went where she was sent by her Uncle Sam."

"She waved from our ships upon the briny foam,
And now they've about quit waving her back here at home.
In her own good land she's been abused -
She's been burned, dishonored, denied and refused."

"And the government for which she stands
Is scandalized throughout the land.
And she's getting threadbare and wearing thin,
But she's in good shape for the shape she's in.
'Cause she's been through the fire before
And I believe she can take a whole lot more."

"So we raise her up every morning,
Take her down every night.
We don't let her touch the ground
And we fold her up right.
On second thought I DO like to brag,
'Cause I'm mighty proud of that Ragged Old Flag."

BALLAD OF THE GREEN BERETS
Written by SSG Barry Sadler

Fighting soldiers from the sky,
Fearless men who jump and die.
Men who mean just what they say,
The brave men of the Green Beret.

Chorus:
Silver wings upon their chest.
These are men, America's best.
One hundred men will test today,
But only three win the Green Beret.

Trained to live off natures land,
Trained in combat, hand-to-hand.
Men who fight by night and day,
Courage peak from the Green Berets.