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DO YOU REMEMBER?
HELLO! REMEMBER ME? Some call me Old-Glory, others call
me Stars and Stripes. I have also been referred to as the Star Spangled
Banner. But whatever they call me, I am your flag of the United States of
America. There is something that has been bothering me, so I thought that
I might talk it over with you.
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. A 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 hand was directly over
his heart.
And you -- I remember you. Standing there as straight as a
soldier, you didn't have any hat but you were giving the right salute.
They taught you in school to place your hand over your heart. Remember
little sister? Not to be outdone she was saluting same as you. I was very
proud as I came down your street. There were some soldiers home on leave
and they were standing at attention giving the military salute.
Now, I may sound as if I am a little conceited. Well, I am. I have the
right to be. I represent the United States of America.
WHAT HAS HAPPENED? I'm still the same old flag. Oh, I
have a couple more stars added since you were a boy. A lot more blood has
been shed since that Memorial Day so long ago.
But now I don't feel as proud as I used to feel. When I come down your
street, some people just stand there with their hands in their pockets and
give me a small glance and then look away. Then I see children running
around and shouting. They don't seem to know who I am.
IS IT A SIN to be patriotic any more? Have some people
forgotten what I stand for? Have they forgotten all the battlefields where
men fought and died to keep this nation free? When you salute me you are
actually saluting them.
Take a look at the Memorial Honor Rolls some time. Look at the names of
those who never came back. Some of them were friends or relatives of
yours. That's whom you are saluting. Not me. Well, it won't be long until
I'll be coming down your street again. So, when you see me, stand
straight, place your hand over your heart and you'll really see me waving
back -- my salute to you. And then I'll know that you remember.
--Author Unknown
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