For those who went to the 2008 Convention last summer, or if you’ve been to a Red Carpet Day over the last year, you are aware of YTB’s work with Flags4Vets. Fred Moore and Linda Brown head up Flags4Vets and YTB has supported this fine organization through contributions from our Reps and RTA’s.

Since YTB began it’s outreach with Flags4Vets at the 2008 Convention, YTB has provided enough donations to supply over 75,000 flags in support of this enormous undertaking.

Flags4Vets is a non profit organization that believes it is our duty as citizens (as opposed to the Government) to privately fund all the U.S. flags for Military grave sites all over the world to honor those who served our Country. Some of whom gave the ultimate sacrifice. We are proud that we have been able to support this noble cause of the U.S. Flag for those who have secured the freedoms we enjoy today.

Flags4Vets relies on support through public outreach programs to the general public, schools, scouting groups, and other organizations with similar interests. If you would like to donate for this worthy and honorable cause, you can do so from their web site. Donations are tax deductible.

You will also find the piece below in GoodDay@YTB. This daily communication sent to the field was started not long ago by Andy Cauthen, our President and COO of YTB. Andy has taken on this task and has done an exceptional job with his “90 Seconds” of wisdom and leadership. I look forward to reading this e-mail every morning and find it an invaluable tool. It engages the right mindset because it provides quotes that not only inspire, but teach. The stories, messages, and quotes found there are in vast contrast to the bathroom wall material you sometimes find on the internet. Undoubtedly, GoodDay@YTB is a far better use of time and energy.

When thinking about Flags4Vets last week, I contacted Andy about the number of flags we have been able to supply for this organization. He shared with me what is being sent to the field this morning. I found it very fitting for today and wanted to share with everyone what was sent to him from Fred Moore, the founder of Flags4Vets. I hope you are as proud of “Old Glory” and what it represents as Andy, Flags4Vets, and I am.

My Name is Old Glory

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 great institutes 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 fought every battle of every war for more than 200 years:

Gettysburg, Shilo, Appomatox, San Juan Hill, the trenches of France, the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome, the beaches of Normandy, the deserts of Africa, the cane fields of the Philippines, the rice paddies and jungles of Guam, Okinawa, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Guadalcanal

New Britain, Peleliu, and many more islands.

And a score of places long forgotten by all but those who were with me.

I was there.

I led my soldiers – I followed them.

I watched over them.

They loved me.

I was on a small hill in Iwo Jima.

I was dirty, battle-worn and tired, but my soldiers cheered me, and I was proud.

I have been soiled, 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, burned, torn and trampled on the streets of my country, and when it is by those with whom I have served in battle – it hurts.

But I shall overcome – for I am strong.

I have slipped the bonds of Earth and stand watch over the uncharted new frontiers of space from my vantage point on the moon.

I have been a silent witness to all of America’s finest hours.

But my finest hour comes when I am torn into strips to be used for bandages for my wounded comrades on the field of battle,

When I fly at half mast to honor my soldiers,

And when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving mother at the graveside of her fallen son.

I am proud.

My name is Old Glory.

Dear God – Long may I wave.

by Howard Schnauber, Fort Collins, CO
© 1994 the author

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Tags: Flags4Vets, GoodDay@YTB, Memorial Day, YTB National Convention

This entry was posted on Monday, May 25th, 2009 at 3:00 am and is filed under Andy Cauthen, Flags4Vets, GoodDay@YTB, Memorial Day, YTB National Convention. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.