[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9549]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           OUR SHREDDED FLAG

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH J. HECK

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 12, 2015

  Mr. HECK of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, recently, I was contacted by a 
constituent, Colonel Paul Dudley, United States Air Force, Retired. He 
wrote to express his patriotic feelings for our country and the 
treatment of our flag. Attached to his letter was a poem he wrote 
titled, ``Our Shredded Flag.'' Since this Sunday, June 14th, is Flag 
Day, I thought it appropriate to submit his poem.

     I am a United States of America shredded flag.
     I fly from the roof of many typical American homes.
     Some time ago, I was new and radiant when they placed me 
           there,
     But the wind and rain have reduced me to strings of red, 
           white, and blue.
     Sometimes I fly from vehicles until I am torn to shreds;
     Though I still wave proudly, and can be recognized, I need 
           replaced,
     And here's why:

     Brave military have carried me into battles in many wars
     To save and preserve our nation, and restore peace.
     I fly proudly above our military bases and naval vessels
     To show that we are, yet today, a nation of strength and 
           honor.
     Our Veterans, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast 
           Guard
     Still honor me, care for me, protect me, and rescue me when 
           torn;
     With them, I am in good hands.

     When they see that I am weathering from the elements,
     They take me down and honorably, ceremonially give me final 
           rest,
     And as a service to those citizens who do not seem to know, 
           or do the same,
     They do it for them, with great respect and understanding.
     I am called ``Old Glory'', ``The Star Spangled Banner'', and 
           other respected names,
     Which make me flow and flutter proudly in the wind,
     For I am the true vision of our great nation.

     I represent a people who have achieved their freedom;
     I remind a people of the sacrifices that we have made to keep 
           it;
     I go off to war with the greatest warriors, many who die 
           defending it;
     And I grieve when draped over their coffins when they are 
           returned.
     I am placed into the hands of their greatest loved ones
     To honor them and remember them forevermore.

     Those who dishonor me, stomp on me, and burn me, only destroy 
           my cloth.
     My meaning, my purpose, my honor and representation still 
           live on;
     These cannot be taken away so long as there remains a United 
           States of America.
     So, fellow citizens, protect what I stand for, not for me, 
           but for you;
     For I am merely dye on cloth with a God blessed meaning.
     Honor me; respect me for what I represent,
     And I will fly over you wherever, and forever.
     I am the ``Stars and Stripes Forever''.

       Written by Paul Frederick Dudley, Colonel, USAF (Ret) USMC 
     (WWII) USAF (Vietnam) March 6, 2011.

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