{"id":23210,"date":"2013-05-11T17:48:45","date_gmt":"2013-05-11T21:48:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thelehighacresgazette.com\/news\/?p=23210"},"modified":"2013-05-11T17:48:45","modified_gmt":"2013-05-11T21:48:45","slug":"boy-scouts-honor-the-american-flag-with-retirement-ceremony","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thelehighacresgazette.com\/news\/2013\/05\/boy-scouts-honor-the-american-flag-with-retirement-ceremony\/","title":{"rendered":"Boy Scouts Honor The American
Flag With Retirement Ceremony"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"
Jeffrey Johnson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

VFW Post 4174 \u00a0hosted a Flag Retirement Ceremony.<\/p>\n

The ceremony was conducted by the Boy Scout Troop #11.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hello,<\/p>\n

Remember me?<\/p>\n

Some people call me \u201cOld Glory\u201d<\/p>\n

Others call me the \u201cStar Spangled Banner\u201d<\/p>\n

But whatever they call me, I am your Flag,<\/p>\n

The Flag of the United States of America\u2026.<\/p>\n

Something has been bothering me, so I thought I might talk it over with you\u2026 because it is about you\u2026. and me.<\/p>\n

I remember some time ago people lined up on both sides of the street to watch a parade, and naturally I was leading every parade, proudly waving in the breeze. When your Daddy saw me coming, he immediately removed his hat and placed it against his left shoulder, so that his hand was directly over his heart\u2026 Remember?<\/p>\n

\"\"
VFW 4174 Honor Guard
BJ Lancaster, Steve Followell, Mike Klepser, Al Grove and not pictured Captain Dan Slave<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

And you, I remember you. Standing there straight as a soldier. You didn\u2019t have a hat, but you were giving the right salute. Remember little sister? Not to be outdone, she was saluting the same as you, with her hand over her heart\u2026. Remember?<\/p>\n

What happened? I\u2019m still the same old flag. Oh, I have a few more stars now and a lot more blood has been shed since those days long ago. But now I don\u2019t feel as proud as I used to. When I come down the street you just stand there with your hands in your pockets, and I may get a small glance, but then you look away.<\/p>\n

Then I see children running around and shouting; they don\u2019t seem to know who I am\u2026. I saw one man take off his hat, then he looked around and saw no one else with their hat off, so he quickly put his hat back on.<\/p>\n

Is it a sin to be patriotic now? Have you forgotten what I stand for? And where I\u2019ve been? Anzio\u2026. Normandy\u2026 Guadal Canal\u2026. Iwo Jima\u2026.. Korea\u2026..Vietnam\u2026. and the Persian Gulf?<\/p>\n

Take a look at the Memorial Honor Rolls sometime. Note the names of those who never came back; they died to keep this republic free\u2026 One Nation Under God!<\/p>\n

When you salute me\u2026 you are actually saluting them.<\/p>\n

Well, it won\u2019t be long now until I\u2019ll be coming down your street again\u2026. So when you see me, stand straight, place you right hand over you heart, and I\u2019ll salute you by waiving back\u2026. and I\u2019ll know\u2026.<\/p>\n

Written by unknown<\/p>\n