Old Glory-Wave On

Gavin Sewell

 

I am the flag of the United States of America.

I fly atop the world’s tallest buildings.
I stand watch in America’s halls of justice.
I stand side by side with the Maple Leaf on
the worlds’ longest undefended border.
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 was there.

I led my troops, I was dirty, battle worn 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 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 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.

MY NAME IS OLD GLORY. LONG MAY I WAVE.

by Howard Schnaube

 

 

The American Flag is a symbol that means different things to different people.  Many hold it up alongside their faith, others burn it as if it were kindling or garbage.  But for all the differing opinions, the United States has gone to an even more divided country than ever before.  Perhaps by taking a closer look at the history well fought for, remembering WHAT we fought for and the price that was paid for that which we fought…we can come together again in unity of spirit, unity of peace, unity of purpose.

Gavin Sewell created the Old Glory collage above and it truly is a story within a story.  Buried within the 13 colonies and 50 states are the tales acted out by our United States, which he gives life and form within our symbol of freedom…Old Glory.  The different tales he weaves in our Flag remind us that we are a melting pot of people, ideals, hopes, dreams, goals but we have one uniting purpose….FREEDOM.

Within the flag Gavin weaves a story filled with imagery from our past:

1.  He highlights images of our revolutionary war, birth and the liberating laws that were so important for so many.

2.  Our country’s religious roots are woven throughout.

3.  Public schools offering education for all are portrayed beside a scene of a black school girl as painted by Norman Rockwell.

4.  White-black race relations are highlighted by the purple image of Malcolm X, its most eye-catching feature. 

5.  Black heroes figure prominently, White heroes figure prominently.

6.  The United States’ technological achievements also receive lavish attention. But next to those struggles, “Glory” directly questions their worth. 

 

 

We have a place, all of us, in a long story … The story of a slave-holding society that became a servant of freedom. … It is the American story; a story of flawed and fallible people, united across the generations by grand and enduring ideals.

George W. Bush inaugural address, January 20, 2001

 

I leave you with this video…and wish everyone a Happy Independence Day!

Wave on “Old Glory”….WAVE ON!!

 

This article is hopping around the following Blog Hops:

Homestead Barn Hop, Wildcrafting Wednesday, From the Farm Fridays, Simple Saturdays Blog Hop, Simple Life Sunday Blog Hop.

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