long depression, and they did not seem to get out of it. And then I heard the President say, “ I hate war.” I AM THE AMERICAN FLAG! And I began to shudder instead of flutter, for I was at Pearl Harbor, and I wondered why all the guard was down because from where I was I could see the enemy coming. I could not call. I would have. It was awful, horrible. I saw men die, bravely. I saw the sons of this nation left without supplies and support in the Pacific. I saw them fight and fall in Bataan, in the Coral Sea, Midway Island, Guadalcana l, the Philip pines, and Okinawa. I saw an American strong — stronger than any nation or com bination of nations. And then I shivered on my shaft as I heard more questions about His being dead. In the classroom, where the children would pledge to me and pray to God, many did not pray anymore — something about the court. And then some children did not pledge anymore; some said it had to do with "freedom." I am the symbol of freedom and liberty, or at least I was. And then I find a new experi ence — something I cannot under stand. I fly at the embassies around the world. You know, the U.S. em bassies. Now they tear me down. They trample me, burn me, spit on me. I always believed I was due respect. I know someone from the Capitol will do something about it. They did. Yes, they apologized. The people from this nation, they apolo gized. I AM THE AMERICAN FLAG! Oh, I was proud and hurt when they sent me to Korea 15 years ago. Proud I was of those men who looked up at me and fought so bravely. But I wondered, as I was flying back at the Capitol, because there was something about, “ You can’t win." They must have known what they were talking about because that was 15 years ago, and I have been flying over 55,000 troops from this nation who have been there ever since. In fact, I was fly
ing of that nation came— a testing to determine “ whether that nation or any nation so conceived and so dedicated can long endure.” Mine to view were the gallantries of Bull Run and Vicksburg. Mine to hear were the somber tones of that great and humble leader at Gettys burg. I was proud at Appomattox for I heard Grant say to Lee, “ Let your soldiers retain their sidearms and have them keep their horses. We are brothers in arms.” I knew that this spirit was good for America. I AM THE AMERICAN FLAG! How I wept— I, the soul of Amer ica— as I now hung half-mast for the fallen leader, for among other things, I knew that the kindness, the humility, yes, the very soul of that leader, America would need. I saw an America recover, grow, and prosper. I became the symbol to all the world of new hope, new opportunity, liberty, and freedom. I saw thousands upon thousands seek the land I represent, and they found that symbol in me! I was loved by them, revered by them; never before had a flag meant so much to so many. I AM THE AMERICAN FLAG! Great things happened to Ameri ca! I saw inventions increase, in dustry grow, farming spread out and conquer the land, all spurred on by a system that honored re sponsibility and th a t p rospe red those who did a better and better job. I AM THE AMERICAN FLAG! I saw America become the great est, strongest, most productive na tion on earth, and how I was re spected! I would see the people with gold and silver coins, and on them it said, "In God we trust.” A little later I saw they began to change things. They began to say that you cannot have gold any more if you are an American. They began to say it is not always neces sary to work in order to live. And I heard more talk at the Capitol about security and not so much anymore about independence. And I began to hear questionings about that God in whom they said they trusted. And there was a great and JULY/AUGUST, 1970
ing on that ship, Pueblo, when some of those hammer and sickle men came and tore me down. They took the men, beat them, too, and stole the ship. I heard the President say that was like an act of war. So, I was sure he would take the ship and the men back, and I could fly on it again. But, but, but I do not really know what to say, especially to those men who used to look up at me and feel proud. I am not sure that I should talk about Vietnam. I am seeing so much, so much that I am not proud to be true of America, the nation of which I am a symbol. No, I’d bet ter not say it. Oh, America, I, your flag, am the only veteran of all these wars. And I alone have witnessed all the past, so much of it so glorious, so full of achievement, so great a contri bution! But there is no longer re spect for me, not in this nation, not in others. You may ask, “ Why?” I must speak to you in frankness and in truth. I know the nation I represent became great because it was “ one nation under God.” They taught and governed according to the principles of His Word. I see that, in a large part, they have left this. I see they do not obey God’s law or respect His authority, and so there is lack of respect for the laws of the government and no re gard for their authority. Therefore, there are riots, demonstrations, rampant crime, immorality, general moral breakdown and lack of values with a spiritual-moral base. We flags have seen many things in the passing of time. Someone has said that the average age of the world’s great civilizations has been 200 years. America, I have been flying over and watching you change for almost 200 years. I warn you; this great na tion is becoming corrupt. I am your flag. I am the soul of America. You must return to God and rely on His Word or this great nation will fall. You must return to that principle on which your forefathers estab lished this country, “ In God we trust!” 11
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