Uniquely Yours Craft Journal

Dear Fellow Journalers,

The following is a speech G gave to an elementary school today, Flag Day.

American Flag

Back in 1947, a man named Colby Dunn wrote a piece called ”  I am the American Flag.”  I reread it lately, and decided that it needed to be modernized. Have I done a good job? I’ll leave that for you to decide.

I am the American Flag, and I remind you that valor and honor override any feelings of compromise and capitulation.

I am the American Flag, here to tell you that it matters not to me what your race, color, creed, other national origin, or political beliefs are, only what you will do to respect and honor those things in others.

I am the American Flag, and the only places I fly are the places that sacrifice has earned for me.

I am the American Flag, here to tell you that you have a duty to honor and respect, and if necessary, protect all that I stand for.

I am the American Flag, and I tell you that the sacrifices of all past generations of Americans, that gave us freedom and democracy, must never be forgotten.

I am the American Flag, and you must preserve, protect, and defend both the Constitution and me.

I am the American Flag, and I fly over the schools and colleges where the greatest gift that can be bestowed is given, the gift of knowledge.

I am the American Flag, and I have accompanied my sons and daughters to far away battlefields, where they have defended not only our freedom, but the freedom of peoples around the world.

I am the American Flag, and I have been draped lovingly over the caskets of those who did not return from those battlefields, then tearfully presented to Mothers, Fathers, Spouses, Daughters and Sons to honor their sacrifice.

I am the American Flag, and I insist that the values, for which I stand, must be preserved daily.

I am the American Flag, and I stand for Truth and Justice, and tell you these things must never be denied to anyone.

I am the American Flag, the keeper of the sacrifice of blood that so many generations of Americans gave for freedom and liberty we all enjoy today.

I am the American Flag, a Flag that not only honors, but respects and encourages individualism, hard work and sustained efforts.

I am the American Flag, never allow me to be defaced or defamed.

I am the American Flag, a reminder to every Nation on earth that American values and ideals are ones they wish to copy, emulate, and honor.

I am the American Flag, a symbol that the sick, downtrodden, and oppressed will always find hope, comfort, and care under my broad stripes and bright stars.

I am the American Flag, not just any Flag, I am YOUR Flag. I am the American Flag, and during times of extreme danger and crisis, like Pearl Harbor Dec 7 th . 1941, and New York City, the Twin Towers, Sept 11 th 2001, when brave men and women looked upon me, I allowed them to know and experience their fears, but then, to allow them to know that doing their duty overcame any fear that they might experience, and they did it anyway.

I am the American Flag, and promise all future generations of Americans that during times of extreme danger and crisis, where ever and what ever they may be, just gaze upon me, and I will give you strength and courage. And you will do it anyway. I AM THE AMERICAN FLAG !

So my friends, I would respectfully and humbly request that every time you see our flag you use it as a starting point for a new beginning. A point where you form those beliefs that you will lead your life by. Some thing you can use to experience your fears, but regardless of your fears, to do things anyway. To experience and appreciate the beliefs of all those you know and respect, but not necessarily to take those beliefs for yourself, but to use them as a guide to form your own beliefs, and live your own life. Then when you look up at our Flag, you can look back at the boys and girls you were, and be proud of the men and women you’ve become.