Some more for the 4th...

Well we just got in from our 4th of July festivities and I found this tribute in my email. I knew I must share it before the day was done. I will post the link at the bottom so you can go and listen to a most stirring rendition of Elvis singing America the Beautiful but I wanted to post the tribute and the words written. The following is submitted by Bob Thompson, Retired Military Veteran, Panama City, Florida and is titled: A Tribute to our Flag. I hope you feel the same emotion I felt upon reading this, especially while listening to Elvis sing.

I am the flag of the United States of America.

My name is Old Glory.

I fly atop the world's tallest buildings.

I stand watch in America's halls of justice.

I fly majestically over institutions of learning.

I stand guard with power in the world.

Look up and see me.

I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice.

I stand for freedom.

I am confident.

I am arrogant.

I am proud.

When I am flown with my fellow banners,

My head is a little higher,

My colors a little truer.

I bow to no one!

I am recognized all over the world.

I am worshipped - I am saluted.

I am loved - I am revered.

I am respected - and I am feared.

I have fought in every battle of every war for more then 200 years. I was flown at Valley Forge, Gettysburg, Shiloh and Appomattox.

I was there at San Juan Hill, the trenches of France,

in the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome and the beaches of Normandy.

Guam, Okinawa, Korea and KheSan, Saigon, Vietnam know me.

I'm presently in the mountains of Afganistan and the hot and dusty deserts of Iraq and wherever freedom is needed.

I led my troops, I was dirty, battleworn and tired,

But my soldiers cheered me and I was proud.

I have been burned, torn and trampled on the streets of countries I have helped set free.

It does not hurt for I am invincible.

I have been soiled upon, burned, torn and trampled in the streets of my country.

And when it's done by those Whom I've served in battle - it hurts.

But I shall overcome - for I am strong.

I have slipped the bonds of Earth and stood watch over the uncharted frontiers of space from my vantage point on the moon.

I have borne silent witness to all of America's finest hours. But my finest hours are yet to come. When I am torn into strips and used as bandages for my wounded comrades on the battlefield,

When I am flown at half-mast to honor my soldier,

Or when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving parent

at the grave of their fallen son or daughter,

I am proud.

Once again: check it all out at Tribute to the Flag