Flag Day - Fulton 2008

Flag Day 2008 —Fulton

Lake Effect Designs

The Flag Day Ceremony held on Saturday—June 14, 2008, at 9:30 A.M. at the B.P.O.E. Fulton Lodge #830, located at 57 Pierce Drive, in Fulton. Refreshments were available after the ceremony.

Chairman Dawn Bristol

Remember Me?

Hello, remember me? I’m your flag. Some folks call me Old Glory; others call me the Stars and Stripes, the Ensign, or just the flag. But whatever they call me, I am your flag – the flag of United States of America.

Something has been bothering me lately. I was wondering if I might talk it over with you. It’s about you and me.

I remember the day when people lined up on both sides of the street to watch a parade. When your father saw me coming along, waving in the breeze. He took off his hat and placed it against his left shoulder. 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 on, but you gave the correct salute. They taught you in school to place your hand over your heart. And remember your little sister? Not to be out done, she was saluting the same as you. I was proud, very proud, as I came down the street. Oh yes, there were some servicemen there, standing at attention, giving the military salute. Ladies as well as men, civilians as well as military, paid me respect and reverence.

Now, if I sound a bit conceited, well, I have a right to. I represent the finest country in the world-The United States of America. More than one aggressive nation has tried to hail me down, only to feel the fury of this freedom loving country. Many of you had to go overseas to defend me. A lot more blood has been shed since those patriotic parades of long ago and I’ve had a few stars added since you were a boy, but I’m still the same flag.

Dad is gone now, and the hometown has a new look. The last time I came down your street, I noticed that some of the old landmarks have given way to new buildings and homes. Yessir, the old town sure has changed. I guess I have too, because I don’t feel as proud as I did back then.

I see youngsters running around and shouting through the streets, college boys and girls disrupting our campuses, people selling hot dogs and beer while our National Anthem is played – everything from apathy to riots. They don’t seem to know, or care, who I am. Not long ago, I saw a man take off his hat when I passed by. He looked around, didn’t see anybody else with theirs off, so he quickly put his back on.

Now when I come down your street, you just stand there with your hands in your pockets. Occasionally, you give me a small glance and then look away. When I think of all the places I’ve been – Normandy, Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, Battle of the Bulge, Korea, Vietnam, I wonder, what’s happened? I’m still the same ol’ flag.

How can I be expected to fly high and proud from buildings and homes when within them, there is no thought, love or respect for me? Whatever happened to patriotism? Your patriotism? Have you forgotten what I stand for? Have you forgotten all the battlefields where men fought and died to keep this nation free? When you salute me, you salute them. Take a look at the Memorial Honor Rolls sometime. Look at those names of those who never came back. Some of them were friends or relatives of yours; maybe even went to school with you. That’s what you’re saluting – not me!

Well, it won’t be long before I come don you street again. So, when you see me, stand straight and give me a salute. Do this because I represent you.

You’ll see me wave back, my salute to you!

-Reprinted by permission of Navy Times

2008 Fulton Lodge 830 Flag Day Program