A Flag Retiring Ceremony
by Doug Lunsford


“Be it resolved on this day , June 14, 1777, that the flag of these United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field representing a new constellation."
The Stars and Stripes

The first flag of the United States of America had thirteen stars and thirteen stripes. It was presented first on June 14th, 1777. Thus we celebrate June 14th as Flag Day each year.

Two states joined the union and our second flag added a star and stripe for each which meant that it had fifteen stars and fifteen stripes. However, the original colonies which were now states supported a resolution to Congress that they be recognized as first in the new nation with a flag of only thirteen stripes. This resolution further proposed that a start be added for each state that followed these original thirteen as it was accepted as a State in these United States.

The last star was added in 1959 with the admission of Hawaii as our fiftieth state.

These stars and stripes have represented the free people of these United States of America through war and peace, Civil War, Depression, Civil Rights, and civil disobedience. It stood the test with the Marines in Tripoli, Guadalcanal, Viet Nam, and Kuwait. The Navy flew the Stars and Stripes in Cuba, Tokyo, Coral Sea, Gulf of Tonkin and the Persian Gulf. The Air Force has circumnavigated the world flying the flag over Dresden, Korea, Hanoi, and Baghdad. The Coast Guard protects our country and saves innocent lives with the flag of our nation waving valiantly in peace and war, calm and storm.

The Stars and Stripes has draped the coffins of veterans, the Unknown Soldier, and the graves of those who paid the Supreme Sacrifice of Freedom. It has graced the shoulders of Olympic Champions like Cassius Clay and George Foreman, Doug Russell and Jacklyn Joiner Kinsey, Mary Lou Retten and Jesse Owens, the 1980 Miracle Hockey Team and the Dream Team.

Wherever you see the red, white, and blue of Old Glory, you know that democracy and the free people of the United States of America have stood against oppression.

Always be proud of your flag and your country, stand just a little taller. You are free and you are an American!

The flag you will see retired from service tonight has flown representing the greatest nation and the proudest people in the world.

It is only right that it be laid to rest adding the light of liberty and freedom once more.

The stripes represent the diversity of a country that has opened its doors for freedom and the stars on a field of blue represent a new beacon of freedom to the world.

Scouts Attention!

I AM THE FLAG

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 wave.

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 worshiped, 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 than 200 years.

I was flown at Valley Forge, Gettysburg,

Shiloh and Appomattox.

I am know in San Juan Hill,

France, the Argonne Forest, Rome,

Normandy, Guam,

Okinawa, Korea, KheSan,

Saigon, Vietnam, and more

for I was there.

I led my troops,

I was dirty, battle-tested and tired,

but my soldiers cheered me,

And I was proud.

America has been attacked by cowardly fanatics

And many lives have been lost

But those who seek to destroy me cannot win

For I am the symbol of freedom,

Of one nation

Under God

Indivisible

With liberty and justice for all.

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 on the streets of my country.

And when it’s 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 stand 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.

MY NAME IS OLD GLORY

LONG MAY I WAVE.