Hello, remember me?

Some people 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….

Something has been bothering me, so I thought I might talk it over with you…because it is about you and me.

I remember when people would line up on both sides of the street to watch a parade, and naturally, I was leading it, proudly waving in the breeze. When your daddy saw me coming, he immediately removed his hat and placed it against his left shoulder so that the hand was directly over his heart….remember?

And you, I remember you. Standing there straight as a soldier.  You didn’t have a hat, but you were giving the right salute. Remember little sister? Not to be outdone, she was saluting the same as you with her right hand  over her heart…remember?

What happened? I’m the same old flag. Oh, I have a few more Stars since you were a boy. A lot more blood has been shed since those parades of long ago. 

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 I may get a small glance and then you look away. 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, then look around, and when he didn’t see anybody else with theirs off, he quickly put his back on.

Is it a sin to be patriotic anymore? Have you forgotten what I stand for and where I’ve been? Anzio, Guadalcanal, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq. Take a look at the Memorial Honor Rolls of those who never came back in order to keep this Republic free…One Nation Under God…when you salute me, you are actually saluting them.

Well, it won’t be long until I’ll be coming down your street again. So, when you see me, stand straight, place your right hand over your heart…and I’ll salute you, by waving back…and I’ll know that…YOU REMEMBERED! 

          – Author Unknown

If you have a distressed American Flag contact Tom Aebly at 715-565-3130, or bring it to the Tribune Press Reporter office. 

A flag retirement ceremony will be held Sunday, June 11 at 1 p.m. at Glenwood City Community Center. Lunch will be held at 11:30 a.m.