AMERICAN LEGION POST 434 
OAK CREEK POST 434 - "The Heart of Oak Creek"
YOU REMEMBERED
Some people call me Old Glory, others call me the Star Spangled Banner, but whatever they call me, I am your flag of the United States of America. Something has been bothering me, so I thought I might talk it over with you, because it is about you and me. I remember some time ago people lined up on both sides of the street to watch the parade and naturally I was leading every parade, proudly waving in the breeze. When your daddy saw me coming, he immediately removed his hat and placed it against his left shoulder so that his hand was directly over his heart. Remember? And you, I remember you standing there straight as a soldier. You didn't have a hat but you were giving the right salute. Remember little sister? Not to be outdone, she was saluting the same as you with her right hand over her heart. Remember?
What happened? I'm still the same old flag. Oh, I have a few more stars than when you were a little boy. A lot more blood has been shed since the parades of long ago. But for quite a while, I didn't feel as proud as I once did. When I would come down your street, you would just stand there with your hands in your pockets, give me a small glance and look away. Children would be running around and shouting. They didn't seem to know who I was. I saw one man take his hat off and look around. When he didn't see anyone else with his hat off, he quickly put his back on. Had it become a sin to be patriotic? Had people forgotten what I stand for and where I've been? Anzio, Guadalcanal, Korea, Viet Nam, Desert Storm. It seemed so---until September 11, 2001. Suddenly, I began showing up everywhere again---in homes, office building, automobile windows and bumpers and most memorable of all, on top of the rubble that was once the World Trade Center. Take a look at the memorial honor rolls sometime, listing those who never came out of the devastation to keep this Republic free, one nation under God. When you salute me, you are saluting them.
Well, it won't be long until I'll be coming down your street again. So, when you see me, stand straight, place your right hand over your heart, and I'll salute you by waving back, and I'll know that--YOU REMEMBERED!
What happened? I'm still the same old flag. Oh, I have a few more stars than when you were a little boy. A lot more blood has been shed since the parades of long ago. But for quite a while, I didn't feel as proud as I once did. When I would come down your street, you would just stand there with your hands in your pockets, give me a small glance and look away. Children would be running around and shouting. They didn't seem to know who I was. I saw one man take his hat off and look around. When he didn't see anyone else with his hat off, he quickly put his back on. Had it become a sin to be patriotic? Had people forgotten what I stand for and where I've been? Anzio, Guadalcanal, Korea, Viet Nam, Desert Storm. It seemed so---until September 11, 2001. Suddenly, I began showing up everywhere again---in homes, office building, automobile windows and bumpers and most memorable of all, on top of the rubble that was once the World Trade Center. Take a look at the memorial honor rolls sometime, listing those who never came out of the devastation to keep this Republic free, one nation under God. When you salute me, you are saluting them.
Well, it won't be long until I'll be coming down your street again. So, when you see me, stand straight, place your right hand over your heart, and I'll salute you by waving back, and I'll know that--YOU REMEMBERED!
