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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 then 200 years.

I was flown at Valley Forge, 
Gettysburg, Shiloh and Appomattox.
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.

I Am The Flag Of The  United States of America.

My Name Is "Old Glory".
Author Unknown


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    • Old Glory Index

    My Name Is "Old Glory"!
    Old Glory's History
    The Pledge Of Allegiance
    Colors In The American Flag
    Description Of The American Flag







    As our nation emerged so did the symbol of its unity. Before the Continental Congress adopted the thirteen-star-and-stripe banner many flags were flown over different parts of this country's soil, including the flags of Holland and Sweden, the Spanish flag, France's fleur-de-lis and the British Union Jack.

    The first official flag of the new nation was created through a resolution of the Founding Fathers on June 14, 1777. The resolution specified that the flag have 13 stripes of alternating red and white and that the union comprise 13 white stars on a blue background to signify a "new constellation." However, because it was not specified how the stars were to be arranged flag makers of the time took it upon themselves to arrange the stars as they pleased: in rows, in a half circle and in a full circle. The one adopted was made by Betsy Ross and had the stars in a full circle.

    As the number of states grew more stars and stripes were added. At one point a flag with 15 stars and 15 stripes waved over Fort McHenry. This was the Star Spangled Banner that inspired our national anthem in 1814. In 1818 Congress passed a law freezing the number of stripes at 13 for the original 13 colonies and allowing a new star to be added to the flag for each state admitted to the union of the United States.

    The United States Flag Code adopted in 1942 by Congress provides the rules for honoring and displaying the flag. The code states, "The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing." For this reason the code stipulates specifically how the flag should be respected, handled, displayed and used. For example, the flag should never be allowed to touch the ground or floor, and it must be properly illuminated in darkness.


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    • I pledge allegiance to the Flag,
    of the United States of America,
    and to the Republic for which it stands,
    one nation, under God, indivisible,
    with liberty and justice for all.

    The pledge of allegiance to the flag should be rendered by standing at attention, facing the flag and placing the right hand over the heart.

    When not in uniform, men should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart.

    Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute.


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    • The red, white and blue colors, and their arrangement, in the Flag are often interpreted as expressing the very character of its nation.

    The Continental Congress of 1777 declared that the white stars, in a field of blue, shall represent a "new constellation."

    George Washington described the white in the Flag as symbolizing the country's desire for liberty - the land of the free.

    The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States organization says that the red signifies the courage and sacrifices of the nation's defenders; the blue has been likened to the loyalty and unity of its citizens.


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    • The Flag of the United States of America has 13 horizontal stripes, alternating 7 red and 6 white, with red stripes at the top and bottm.

    The canton, or union of navy blue, occupies the upper left-hand quarter next to the staff and extends from the top to the lower edge of the fourth red stripe. The 50 stars in the blue field equal the number of states admitted officially to the Union.

    The stars are arranged, with one point up, in 9 horizontal rows. Rows 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 have 6 stars each. Rows 2, 4, 6, and 8 have 5 stars each, with stars centered diagonally between stars in the longer rows above and below.

    To determine the proper size Flag for a flagpole, figure 25 percent of the height of the flagpole from the ground as the correct length for the Flag.


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