I HELD THE FLAG TODAY

I held the flag today
It's been awhile, and it's not my style
But I touched it where it lay.
It's been in a drawer, it's been in a war
That took my dad away.
It brought back tears of grieving years
From that military day.
I remember the shoot - the gun salute
And saw my mother pray.

I held the flag today
Mom almost collapsed when they began the taps
For it took her breath away.
It was solemn and sad and she thought of my dad
Yet a smile broke through her dismay.
As they folded the banner in a reverent manner
My mom began to sway.
As they presented it to her - her mind was a blur
As she held the flag that day.

I held the flag today
Thinking of mom who is now gone,
Now I'm proud to say
I reclaim my land and pledge this hand
To honor and obey.
As my countrymen die ashamed am I
Before I could allay
All of the doubt I harbored throughout,
For I've been sympathy's prey.

I held the flag today
When the New York sky was terror most high
And our Capitol was in disarray.
Yet over a rural field heroes didn't yield
And caused their plane to stray.
As our eyes were locked as we gazed in shock
When the towers suddenly gave way.
Then those heroes in strife searching for life,
Their spirit had something to say.
I held the flag today
As our nation reached out to help pull them out,
For that's our American way.
To see our leaders react and vowed to attack
And that someone is going to pay.
I felt its fiber and thread, its living and dead
And I could hear it say
If we forget we'll always regret
Until our dying day.

I displayed the flag today
It's flying aloft that beautiful cloth,
Ready for the fray.
Whomever the foe, they'll reap what they sow
Starting from today.
I'm humble and proud and I say it aloud,
I'm an American-come what may.

Are you guys ready? Let's roll!

By Jerry Plantz
The Patriotic Poet

God Bless America!

Recited at a special ceremony of the unfurling of the nation's largest flag - 
The Great American Flag, 
near the September 11, 2001 crash site of Flight 93 at Jennerstown, Pa. September 24, 2001. 
Later, a laminated copy was placed at the actual crash site. 
Has been heard on radio and TV and published in various newspapers and magazines. 
The author has been invited to read it again on Flag Day, June 14, 2003 in Washington, DC 
during the National Flag Foundations nationwide event- 
Flags Across America.
 
 

God Bless America!

~My Heartfelt Thanks to Jerry
for sharing his beautiful poem!~

Please send him an e-mail in appreciation!

 

~Made with Love~