These COLORS ... Never Run !!
I fly atop buildings all over the world.
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 than 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 Guadalcanal, Normandy and Guam.
Iwo Jima, Korea, Vietnam and Desert Storm 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.
My Troops now on active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan will always feel my presence,
for I am wherever Our Troops might be .. 24-7 .. and I am proud.
I am torn into strips and used as bandages ..
.. for my wounded comrades on the battlefield.
I am flown at half-staff to honor my fallen Soldiers.
When I lie in the trembling arms of grieving Parents ..
.. at the grave of their fallen Son or Daughter,
my folded colors will forever cradle their tears.
I have been burned, torn and trampled on the streets and 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.
"And now .. another Day of Infamy"
Tuesday .. September 11, 2001
The World Trade Center .. in Manhattan, New York
The Pentagon .. in Washington, DC
A Grassy Field .. in Shanksville, Pennsylvania
Once again .. I am flown at half-staff.
This time .. for thousands of innocent .. Men, Women and Children,
Airline, Military, Religious, Police, Medical, Port Authority, Fire & Rescue personnel ..
.. at their posts.
All here .. Visitors from foreign nations, Citizens on sacred turf .. their beloved homefront.
Once again .. there are the Wounded .. the Missing .. the Heroes,
this time .. on the homefront.
And now .. there are grieving Families, Memorial Services and Funerals,
all unnatural partings .. on the homefront.
And yet .. in the midst of this monumental sadness .. my presence revives strength,
courage, confidence, determination .. and spirited eagerness to lend helping hands.
Young citizens anxious to exchange their "civies" .. for U.S. Military uniforms.
U.S. Veterans .. willing to serve .. again.
"True Blue and True New Patriots" display me .. all over the homefront.
Look up and see me.
My name is Old Glory .. long may I wave.
Dear God in Heaven .. long may I wave.
Salt Lake City, Utah
Winter Olympics .. February 8, 2002
"Homage"
March 2003 - December 2011
"Operations ... Iraqi Freedom, Desert Scorpion, Red Dawn, Enduring Freedom"
U.S.A. Military
101st Airborne .. 1st Marine Division .. 173rd Paratroopers
7th Cavalry .. 3rd Infantry .. 4th Infantry
"Operations ... Desert Lion, Enduring Freedom, Mountain Resolve, New Dawn"
Afghanistan
82nd Airborne Division
"Operation Iron Hammer"
Baghdad
1st Armored Division
"Operation Phantom Fury - Al Fajr"
Fallujah
1st Marine Division
7 May 2005
U.S. Forces punch through Remote Desert Outposts in pursuit of Iraq's Most Wanted
Supported by ..
Navy and Marine F/A-18 Hornet Strike Jets
and
Marine Cobra Attack Helicopters
25 May 2005
"Operation Lightning"
U.S. and 20,000 Iraqi Forces Joint Effort
June 2005
"Operations Spear and Dagger"
3 August 2005
"Operation Quick Strike"
Haqliniyah (near Haditha), Iraq
October 2005
"Operations .. Iron Fist and River Gate"
November 2005
"Operation Steel Curtain"
December 2005
"Operation Shank"
March 2006
"Operation Swarmer"
April 2006
"Operation Mountain Lion"
February 2007
"Operation Law and Order"
June - July 2007
"Operation Phantom Thunder"
"Operation Arrowhead Ripper"
January 2008
"Operation Phantom Phoenix"
2 July 2009
U.S. Marines Launch Major Operation in Afghanistan (Helmand River Valley)
"Operation Strike of the Sword"
11 August 2009
U.S. Marines and Afghan Troops Launch Major Operation in Dahaneh, Afghanistan
"Operation Eastern Resolve 2"
4 December 2009
U.S. Marines and Afghan Troops Launch Offensive in Now Zad Valley, Afghanistan
"Operation Cobra's Anger"
February 2010
Combined Military Forces Launch Major Offensive in S. Helmand Province, Afghanistan
"Operation Moshtarak"
August 2010 - July 2011
Massachusetts U.S. Army National Guard - 1st Battalion, 181st Infantry Regiment
Headquarters Company and Companies A, B , C , D (670 Guardsman)
Camp Atterbury, Indiana (August - September 2010)
Deployment to Afghanistan (October 2010 - July 2011)
181st Infantry Regiment - Delta Company (Company D)
Battalion Send-off Ceremony
Foley Stadium Formation - Worcester, Massachusetts (1 August 2010)
181st Infantry Regiment deployed to Afghanistan October 2010
181st Infantry Regiment returned to Massachusetts (USA) .. 27 July 2011
U.S. Troops Withdraw From Iraq .. 18 December 2011
March 2003 - September 2020
Known U.S. Casualties (Iraq and Afghanistan)
"Fort Hood, Texas - 5 November 2009"
New England Paralyzed Veterans of America
United Services Organization (USO)
Respectfully,
Helen Marie Melly-More
Marlborough, Massachusetts
U.S.A.
Listen to .. "Our National Anthem"
Listen to .. "Military Salute"
Acknowledgements:
"Large American Flag on Flagpole"
Courtesy of Galt Technology - Wallpaperworld.com
"Small Animated American Flag"
Courtesy of Eclipse Digital Imaging
Please select any portion of the following underlined Chapters:
Civil War - Pennsylvania Regiments
The Blue Uniform My Family .. A Call to Arms "Dear Mother" ... 1862 Letter A Proper Burial
Roll of Honor ... Our Fallen Lads The Drummer Boy Medal of Honor - Sgt. Pursell
104th PA Regiment Battle of Fair Oaks 69th PA - Irish Brigade of Philadelphia
72nd PA - Sgt. George Leidy Hess
"Dear Mrs. Bixby" ... 1864 Letter - President Lincoln
From the Halls of Montezuma - U.S. Marine Corps
September 11, 2001 .. "Let's roll"
Appomattox .. "The Blue and Gray"
Philly in the 1940's .. A Trip down Memory Lane