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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 above great institutions of learning.
I
stand guard with the greatest military 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 respected - I am revered - I am
loved, and
I
am feared!
I have flown on every U.S.
submarine for the last 100 years:
I
flew above Holland when the U.S.. purchased their first submarine.
I
was with Squalus who was lost and then raised to fight again.
I
fought with Tautog as Japanese planes bombed my shipmates at Pearl
Harbor.
I
fought valiantly with every submarine during World War Two. Some that
returned,
but
many did not. I was with Howard Gilmore when he gave his life to save
his ship and
yelled
“Take
her down”. Words of courage that would set the tone of the
submariners.
I
went to a watery grave with heroes like Mush Morton and Sam Dealey.
I
was with boats who sent thousands of tons of Japanese merchants and
warships to
the
bottom of the ocean.
Names
like Archerfish, Flasher, Batfish, and Narwhal.
I
was there!
Whenever my submariners went in
harms way I was there with them.
I
sailed with diesel boats in the Pacific, the Mediteranean and North
Atlantic during
the
Cold War.
I
was with Nautilus when she was “underway on nuclear power” , with
Triton when she sailed
around the world. Skate when they surfaced at the North Pole, every
FBM who sailed on deterrent patrols, and every SSN on special
operations.
I
was lost on Thresher in and Scorpion.
I
went with my submariners wherever they went.
They
loved me.
I was with Louiville, and
Pittsburgh as they launched tomahawks during the Persian Gulf
Ear. I was with Miami and other boats fighting in Bosnia.
I sail today with the worlds
finest submarine force. On boats like Zlexandria, Seawolf,
Connecticut, Ohio, Tennessee and and a score of others.
And
I am proud!
I have been soiled, burned, torn
and trampled on the streets of countries that I have helped
set free. It does not hurt.
For
I am invincible.
I have been soiled, burned, torn
and trampled on the streets of my own country - and when
it is by those whom I have served in battle with -
it hurts.
But I shall overcome.
For
I am strong!
I
have slipped the bonds of earth and from my vantage point on the moon, I
stand watch over all U.S. Submarines operating in the depths of the
oceans on earth I
have been the silent witness to all of the submarine forces finest
hours.
But
my finest hour comes when I am waving proudly above my shipmates at a
two bell ceremony,
tolling for all boats on eternal patrol and for all submariners who have
served
their country, but never returned.
I
am proud.
My
name is “Old Glory”
long
may I wave,
dear
God, long may I wave |
