American Spirit

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 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.