We Call Her “Old Glory!”
Sunday, June 14, is Flag Day. I think that we should help our children an’ grandchildren to be aware of the significance of our Nations symbol of freedom, Old Glory. America’s birthday has traditionally been celebrated on July 4th.
However, a specific day to celebrate our Flag, originated in 1885 when B.J. Cigrand arranged for some Wisconsin students to observe “Flag Birthday” on June 14th. This was the 108th anniversary of the official adoption of the Stars and Stripes.
In 1914, a Flag Day address by the Secretary of the Interior, Franklin K. Lane, repeated words he felt the flag was saying to him.
Those words were, “I am what you make me, nothing more. I swing before your eyes as a bright gleam of color, a symbol of yourself.”
Flag Day - the anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777 - was officially established by the Proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson on May 30th, 1916. And on August 3rd, 1949, President Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14th of each year as National Flag Day.
We Call Her “Old Glory!”
In a by-gone era so very long ago,
A fledgling nation stood tall,
To a sovereign king, young patriots said no,
And rallied to answer the call.
In this quest, a banner of unity must fly,
As the militia stepped out,
They fought as one, freedom and liberty was their cry,
The banner flew,” Vict’ry!” was their shout.
Betsy Ross sewed the banner of red, white, and blue,
It proudly waved at columns front,
And signaled a life of freedom for me and for you,
Today she continues the hunt!
Washington carried her across the Delaware,
Francis Scott Key proudly watched her fly,
He wrote, “Oh Say Can You See” Now she waves everywhere,
We stand and salute when she goes by.
The British flag floated into New Orleans,
Old Glory flew at sunrise,
They were here to take our freedoms by any means,
Old Hickory gave them a surprise.
She waved at the Alamo bedside the Texas flag,
And continued to San Jacinto,
The Texians held her high for all to brag,
And cheered so that the world would know!
The War of Northern Aggression tested her might,
Brother against brother, ‘til they dropped,
The battles raged on and bitter was the fight,
In the end, slavery was stopped.
The Spanish-American War of 1898,
She charged up San Juan Hill,
The Rough Riders had reason to celebrate
Their victory and their skill.
World War I was known as the war to end all wars,
Old Glory flew to victory.
And held until the Nazis opened the door,
To threaten all that was free.
But Hitler was met with America’s best,
As Japan jumped into the fray
Old Glory took her lumps, but stood up to the test,
Proved that she was here to stay!
Pearl Harbor, Iwo Jima, that flag was everywhere,
She proved too strong for evils thrust,
She victoriously flies her freedom to share.
Champion to the true and the just.
Korea, Vietnam, Nine Eleven’s aftermath,
Iraq, Afghanistan. Iran,
Dogging the tyrants evil and wretched path,
Old Glory does what she can.
From that day she led Washington across the Delaware,
Through all trials and tribulations,
God has blessed her all these years, gave freedom to share
With people of all nations.
June fourteenth we honor her with a day of her own,
We pledge allegiance to that flag,
God will bless the seeds of freedom that have been sown,
We stand tall and YES we brag!
© Ol’ Jim Cathey
Sunday, June 14th, is Flag Day! Take time to salute the flag, and proudly say the pledge of allegiance.
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.
May our Flag continue to wave proudly over America!!