OLD GLORY SPEAKS


Amos Hurley (1899-1970)
Sunshine Post of The American Legion Post #251,
Los Angeles, CA

I am the flag of the United States of America. I was conceived in the dreams
of Liberty and in the hopes of Freedom. I was designed by the hands of Betsy
Ross, and her sewing basket was my cradle. Though I was never an orphan, I was
adopted by the Continental Congress in 1777 and proclaimed the emblem of a
Nation newly born, fighting valiantly for survival and destined to bring to
all mankind a new concept of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

I have been many places and seen many things. I have witnessed every event of
American history. I was there at Lexington and Concord when they fired the
shot heard round the world.

I was there in the late twilight at Fort McHenry and inspired Frances Scott
Key to write the immortal "Star Spangled Banner", now our National Anthem.

I saw Molly Pitcher take the cannon swab from the hands of her dead husband
and help carry on the fight for freedom.

I felt the biting cold at Valley Forge, and gave warmth and comfort to George
Washington and his tired and hungry Continental Army.

I rode with Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys, and saw the signal that
started the midnight ride of Paul Revere.

I was flown above the decks of Old Ironsides, and from the masts of the Yankee
and China Clippers. I blazed the trail with Daniel Boone and David Crockett. I
led the settlers coming west and crossed Death Valley in a covered wagon.

I was carried through the Halls of Montezuma to the Shores of Tripoli by the
United States Marines. Once I fell to the ground at Custer's Last Stand, and
there were no living hands left to pick me up. I galloped up the slopes of San
Juan Hill with Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders of the United States
Cavalry.

I stayed with the boys until it was over, over there, and on the battlefields
of Marne, Chateau Thierry, St. Mihiel and the Argonne Forest. I saw many of
the youths and manhood of our Nation fall and lie still in death. They had
given their last full measure of devotion. The war was over for them forever,
and I kept my lonely vigil over the graves and stayed to watch the poppies
grow amid the crosses, row on row, in Flanders Fields.

I was raised by five brave men during the Battle for Iwo Jima. I waved
farewell to the four immortal chaplains who went down with their ship and to
honored glory.

Equality, faith, hope, charity, truth or brotherly love, there too, am I. May
history NEVER write my obituary for I am the Stars and Stripes FOREVER.

I AM OLD GLORY

Mr Amos Hurley died shortly after composing this stirring patriotic piece.
 
 

Thanks to Irismist
 

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