I am the heart of the oldest man and the soul of the newest newborn
I am the one who defends me and I am the one who defaces me
I am the first to greet the tired and weary when they choose democracy
I am the first tear for the American that gave their life for me
And I am the one who accompanies them on their long journey home to rest
I have the honor of comforting the widows, widowers, mothers and fathers

I am loved, and loathed throughout the world
I have touched the ground in every land near and far
I have sailed across every ocean and over every sea
I have been torn and I have been burned, both in my home and foreign lands
By both my sons and daughters and my enemies
I have been criticized and I have been ridiculed, but still I stand

I have been to every battle my children have ever fought
And stood proudly behind every soldier, sailor, airman and marine / that has ever raised his or her hand and swore to defend me

At any cost to myself, I am willing to make right, what I know is wrong
Who am I? I ask you this...
Who represents all freedoms and truths? I do.
I am the stars and I am the stripes,
But most of all I am everyone who calls themselves an American
I am the American Flag. I am America.

By TSgt Jeanne M. Vogt
Raptor Flight