Camouflage: A Soldier's Web Page and Community for Military Service Members

Poems and Other Writings

"I Am The Flag Of The United States Of America" by Howard Schnauber

I am the flag of the United States of America.
My name is Old Glory.
I fly atop the world's tallest buildings.
I stand watch in America's halls of justice.
I fly majestically over institutions of learning.
I stand guard with power in the world.
Look up and see me.

I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice.
I stand for freedom.
I am confident.
I am arrogant.
I am proud.

When I am flown with my fellow banners, my head is a little higher.
My colors a little truer.

I bow to no one!
I am recognized all over the world.
I am worshipped - I am saluted.
I am loved - I am revered.
I am respected - and I am feared.

I have fought in every battle of every war for more than 200 years.

I was flown at Valley Forge, Gettysburg, Shiloh and Appamatox.
I was there at San Juan Hill, the trenches of France,
In the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome and the beaches of Normandy.

Guam, Okinawa, Korea and KheSan, Saigon, Vietnam know me.
I was there, I led my troops.
I was dirty, battleworn and tired.
But my Soldiers cheered me and I was proud.

I have been burned, torn and trampled on the streets of countries I have helped set free.
It does not hurt for I am invincible.
I have been soiled upon, burned, torn and trampled in the streets of my country.
And when it's done by those whom I've served in battle - it hurts.
But I shall overcome - for I am strong.

I have slipped the bonds of Earth
And stood watch over the uncharted frontiers of space from my vantage point on the moon.
I have borne silent witness to all of America's finest hours.

But my finest hours are yet to come.

When I am torn into strips and used as bandages for my wounded comrades on the battlefield.
When I am flown at half-mast to honor my Soldier.
Or when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving parent at the grave of their fallen son or daughter,
I am proud.

My name is Old Glory.
Long may I wave.
Dear God in heaven, long may I wave.

Help improve our community! Email us about broken links or incorrect information. Donate graphics, writings, information, URLs, etc. to share with other network members and we'll help promote your web site through credit by-lines.

This page was last updated on April 24, 2006 8:31 PM.

Disclaimer: Items in Camouflage are collected from sources throughout the world and the Internet. We try to give credit where credit is due. If an item belongs to you and we have not acknowledged that, or you want it removed, please let us know and we will correct the problem immediately. Many images posted here are scanned and retouched to enhance the image. We do not own the actual picture copyrights; we own the image files we created from this process.