"MY NAME IS OLD GLORY"
By SharLeigh

The year was 1941 when a 19 year old Howard Schnauber signed up to be a Marine. He served in Guadalcanal, Cape Gloucester, Peleliu and Korea. He was wounded four times in WWII and once in Korea. In 1994 he published the poem “My Name is Old Glory”. This poem is priceless and should be read by every American. Especially now.

“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 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 Normandy, Guam, Okinawa, Korea and KheSan, and Saigon. Vietnam knows me, I WAS THERE! 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 had 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!!! DEAR GOD IN HEAVEN, LONG MAY I WAVE.”