Please join me in the celebration! Do you have an original poem celebrating our Flag or an original poem about our troops? Do you have original photos of Old Glory? I would love to include them here as a way to recognize our enduring freedom and a way to say "thank you" to those men and women who have served and are serving our courtry. (Credit given to all contributors) Comments are always welcome. If interested in having your poem or photo included in the Old Glory Parade, you can email me at:
With graditude for those who have given their lives to safe guard and protect our freedoms ... Honor Memorial Day!!
Graphics that you are welcome to use:
Graphics & Photos - jeannerene
A bit smaller for ya' ....
Please browse through my archives ...
Please join me in the celebration! Do you have an original poem celebrating our Flag or an original poem about our troops? Do you have original photos of Old Glory? I would love to include them here as a way to recognize our enduring freedom and a way to say "thank you" to those men and women who have served and are serving our courtry. (Credit given to all contributors) Comments are always welcome. If interested in having your poem or photo included in the Old Glory Parade, please email me at:
Please join me in the celebration! Do you have an original poem celebrating our Flag or an original poem about our troops? Do you have original photos of Old Glory? I would love to include them here as a way to recognize our enduring freedom and a way to say "thank you" to those men and women who have served and are serving our courtry. (Credit given to all contributors) Comments are always welcome. If interested in having your poem or photo included in the Old Glory Parade, you can email me at:
Operation: Care and Comfort ... March and April Packing Days
April 12, 2010
~ photos: jeanne
Help support this wonderful organization whose volunteers have tirelessly supported our deployed troops in Iraq, Afghanistan and other areas of conflict since April 2003.
U.S. Flags against thebluster of Mother Nature... Cambrian Plaza, San Jose CA
photos ~ jeanne
Please join me in the celebration! Do you have an original poem celebrating our Flag or an original poem about our troops? Do you have original photos of Old Glory? I would love to include them here as a way to recognize our enduring freedom and a way to say "thank you" to those men and women who have served and are serving our courtry. (Credit given to all contributors) Comments are always welcome. If interested in having your poem or photo included in the Old Glory Parade, please email me at:
... and BTW ... here's a great site: Patriotic Website Directory
PatrioticWebsitesOfAmerica.Com A Patriotic Website Directory. Patriotic Websites from all over the United States and military bases all over the world.
OK ... I start crying everytime I watch this video.
Just show your gratitude.
Please join me in the celebration! Do you have an original poem celebrating our Flag or an original poem about our troops? Do you have original photos of Old Glory? I would love to include them here as a way to recognize our enduring freedom and a way to say "thank you" to those men and women who have served and are serving our courtry. (Credit given to all contributors) Comments are always welcome. If interested in having your poem or photo included in the Old Glory Parade, please email me at:
Sunday January 10, 2010 ... a day dedicated to giving.
Operation: Care and Comfort
"Since April 2003, we have shipped over 545,000 pounds (that's over 250 tons) of care packages for distribution to Marine, Army, Air Force Navy, and Coast Guard personnel that are deployed in the conflict regions "
If you are looking for a way to give back to our troops you must visit the Operation: Care and Comfort website. I am extremely proud that San Jose can claim to be the home of this outstanding group of individuals who dedicate unselfishly their support to our military men and women abroad and at home. Their support is shown not only in the thousands of packages they have sent to the troops, but also with special programs such as Adopt a Military Family and Tickets for the Troops. Please visit their site!!
...When my son first deployed I gave family and friends his address so they could keep in touch with him and send him a note during the holidays. One of those friends said she was going to be packing some boxes for the troops on the weekend and she'd have my son included in the mailing ... and that is when I first became aware of Operation: Care and Comfort. When my son has had the opportunity to call, he has specifically mentioned Operation:Care and Comfort telling me that their packages were great ... packed with many goodies and necessities. He has said many times how grateful he and his unit are for all the support from everyone at home.
...I've sent my son and his unit many packages already on my own, but I thought it would be nice to join others in an effort to support our men and women in service. I have to say that as the mother of a young Marine who is far far far from home at this moment I was very moved by the obvious and willing support of my neighbors. It is the support of my immediate friends and neighbors ... and extended friends and neighbors of the community, young and old ... that helps give strength and faith to a military family. So thank you to all who gave of their time and caring last Sunday.
There was one special group of people that helped out last Sunday that I'd like to mention and that is the group of students from Saratoga High School and their moms and dads. Saratoga High School is near and dear to my heart since I've worked there over ten years now and we have a wonderful student body. It was a surprise, but really not a surprise to see them on Sunday. On Monday, January 18th these same students and others will continue to give pack to the community by way of Saratoga High School's 1st Annual Day of Service in memory of Dr. Martin Luther King. Go Falcons!!
Darn... I didn't have my camera with me, so these are cell phone pictures. I've fixed them up as best I could. However, the picture quality is not the issue here, but the quality of support as shown in these little snapshots is what it's all about. Enjoy the pictures.
The action outside in the parking lot.
The Army was there to help and to take the packages.
Saratoga High group ....
The American Legion, Willow Glen Post #318 ... on Minnesota Ave.
Finishing up inside the American Legion building...earlier the room was packed with people, supplies and boxes.
Please join me in the celebration! Do you have an original poem celebrating our Flag or an original poem about our troops? Do you have original photos of Old Glory? I would love to include them here as a way to recognize our enduring freedom and a way to say "thank you" to those men and women who have served and are serving our courtry. (Credit given to all contributors) Comments are always welcome. If interested in having your poem or photo included in the Old Glory Parade, you can email me at:
Outside my window I can hear the shouts and merry-making of New Year's revelers, my good friends and neighbors. I smile … somewhat… at their enthusiasm. My poor pup, Rosie, has just hurried into the bedroom to hide underneath my chair, the firecrackers, shouts and banging upon pots and pans with stainless steal drumsticks, much more racket than she can handle. She'll remain under my chair until I move from the computer screen, but in the meantime I'll reach down every now and again to give her a reassuring scratch under her chin. Rosie loves those reassuring pats and scratches.
It is officially a new year in San Jose, California. Out doors the weather is pleasant, a bit cold, but no rain at the moment. I’ve just googled for a weather link and searched for the current conditions in Afghanistan round about the area(my best guess anyway) in which my son, Johnny, put on his boots this morning and kicked up some sand. To my surprise the temperatures “over there” aren’t bad at all for the 1st day of January, 2010; sunny during the day although much cooler tonight. I’m happy that the weather is pleasant today in Afghanistan and I’d like to imagine our brave young men and women looking up into the sunshine, feeling its warmth on their face.
It’s 12:13AM and some jubilant neighbor continues to pound heartily on a sturdy pot. It’s 12:13AM and I sit here seeking my own reassurance within the memories of past New Years’ midnight heraldry when my two boys joined in chorus with the other young scamps beating the bottom of moms’ skillets and shiny pans on damp front lawns or in the middle of the street until called from the front porch. "That's enough now boys, come on in." Ahhh nuts … the foolery was over ... such a shame. I smile as I remember how in their innocent ways they were happy to celebrate the future.
And so, 2010 has arrived. An overwhelming amount of history has occurred with the passing of these last 10 years and being a lover of history, cultures and politics I can converse, argue and examine for hours on end any number of topics. I miss my father at these times … we were always at opposite ends of the pole, but that made the discussions/arguments all the more stimulating and the comradely between father and daughter a cherished one. My father was a Navy Seabee and WWII Vet … all in all serving 30 years in the military, 10 years active and 20 years in the reserves. (Within those 30 years is a 4 year stint in the Army …lol… go figure. I guess he was just curious.) Johnny is so much like my father, quiet, unassuming, loyal and stubborn as hell.
These last few months of 2009 have probably been the most reflective and contemplative of my entire life, more so than even the passing of my father and father-in-law. In both cases, I knew what to expect with their illnesses, it was pretty much mapped out, a transparent perspective of what was to come next with each succeeding day. But, this emotional road map, the one that is immediately downloaded internally when your son or daughter walks out the door for boot camp isn’t so clear. You’ve now taken the position of walking behind your Marine, you are blind-folded trying to trace his footsteps, and you forge on, trust remaining in your heart … trust in his decisions and trust in the leadership that holds him steady on his chosen road. You go about your day, talking to coworkers, raising other children, laughing with friends, consoling a loved one who needs an extra hug, but always stirring right at the surface of your consciousness, your daily waking and sleeping, are visions of your Marine. Sunday through Saturday, you keep your head above the flood of thoughts and imagined images so you can breathe.
Sorry I’m so long winded … lol … I’ve just been thinking overtime.
For the last four months of 2009 much of my rumination has been centered around what it means to have a child serving in the military, and how it is my heart and mind can equally embrace my tears and my pride. My reflection has been a profound realization of what it actually means to be an American citizen, and a discovery of definition concerning courage and sacrifice and service.
As far as background to my own son’s decision, it was not a surprise to anyone in our family that Johnny chose to enlist in the military. I could go so far as to say that all the signs were there from very early childhood. My son had two main passions from toddler to adulthood, cars and anything military. First, starting with plastic vehicles of any kind, my husband and I, would watch Johnny as a toddler, neatly line up the his cars and trucks in row after row. As he grew older matchbox vehicles were soon overtaking the floor space in his bedroom and creeping into the hall way and living room (He still has all his matchbox cars). The matchbox contingency was soon overshadowed by mini tanks and armored cars, airplanes and helicopters and little green and tan soldiers, and full scale battles were fought (with sound effects) on multileveled terrains across the floor, over shelves, dressers and twin beds. It was a hoot to watch the energy put into setting up battlefields or to ease drop on spontaneous stratagems barked by little olive green Lieutenants and Generals. The toy soldiers and tanks were gradually replaced with wartime and military movies and books. Even as a young boy when on camping trips where we’d often go into town (Jackson CA) to browse through the antique shops, you’d find Johnny searching the rows of old books looking for anything that had to do with military history … U.S. or otherwise. Truth be known, it was actually earlier today, this afternoon, that I went into my son’s room to dust and looking at his bookshelf and titles . . .
Exploring the Bismarck The Day Fort Sumter Was Fired On Nam, A Photo History Desert War in North Africa Guadalcanal, The First Offensive Air War, against Hitler’s Germany History of Japan The Long road to Gettysburg Iwo Jima Omaha to Okinawa Give Me Liberty, An American History Unsung Sailors Prelude to War, WWII The Korean War The United States in WWI Normandy 1944 Military Uniforms 1686-1918 Undying Glory Baghdad, Without a Map Band of Brothers
. . . I felt compelled to sit down and write. Evidence enough as to his interests … lol…
There is a U.S. Marine poster at the foot of his desk. It pictures an AH-1 Super Cobra and reads “Marine Aviation-Sustaining the Force” and of course “The Marines, the few, the proud.” That poster has been push-pinned into the wall since he was in middle school. I recently discovered a picture of Johnny sitting at his desk laughing, he looks to be about 12 years-old and the poster is in full view in the snapshot.
Johnny wanted to join the Marines right after high school, but I asked him to wait, to continue school for a while. High School was not my son’s favorite place. Matter of fact I was thrilled when high school was over. My son disliked it so much he refused to show up at graduation. He never was one to get into the “high school scene” and that worried me some, but he was a good and bright boy. At my request he did try community college for a while … and was lost. He went to WyoTech, an automotive trade school and was found. He worked successfully for some time as an auto mechanic in a local San Jose business…. but was not fulfilled … his soul, his core sought something more. He told my husband, “I see myself walking up the driveway as a Marine.” My husband simple told him to follow his dream. He did so, came home from the recruiting office and hugged me and said, “I‘ve enlisted.”
“I know. I‘ve been waiting. I love you.” That was all that needed to be said.
So today I can say my youngest son, Johnathan, has traveled quiet naturally, in the direction of his early passions. He is a certified auto mechanic (remember those matchbox cars) and warrior … a Untied States Marine in the 3rd MAW (well … that poster had been trying to speak to me too for all these years).
And, now I am a Marine mom, sitting here at my computer, typing away and trying to comprehend all that I feel inside. I guess you could call this my New Year’s resolution … a commitment to my soul searching, an understanding of my calling as an military mom and a statement of my pride.
Returning home form Camp Pendleton this last September driving along I-5 provided miles of uninterrupted time to reflect upon my son’s upcoming deployment. Much of the time however, I was not thinking about Johnny or any immediate fears, but rather upon my heritage and the fact that for whatever purpose fate or God may have, I am an American, born American and bred American from two distinctly different backgrounds. On my maternal side I am only a second generation American, my immigrant grandparents having successfully pursued the American dream and all its potential. On my paternal side my ancestors are harder to trace, but I know of their crossing through the plains and of service during the Civil War and I know their roots were firmly planted in our history long before I came into being. I’m sure many share a background similar to mine.
I am grateful that fate placed me on the soil of the U. S. A. and I believe it is a blessing to be born here. I am not naive to our imperfections, but I believe we, as a nation have an indelible aspiration to right the wrongs, to protect and to serve mankind. I do not believe that God loves us any more than any other nation on earth, but let it suffice to say that I do believe he has a purpose drawn out for us.
And, as I drive along Interstate 5 … as one thought leads to another, tumbles into a litany of noble cause and purpose, of speculation upon our American history and our American future, I know deep-seeded within my bosom beats a red, white and blue heart. I understand completely the oft quoted adage “Freedom is never free.” It never will be and we should count our blessings that our all-volunteer armed services are there to protect and sacrifice. I realize and understand the full meaning of my son’s service.
I am gripping the steering wheel, looking in to the horizon and I understand my grandmother’s tears 50 years ago when I asked her why the lady across the street had a gold star in the living room window. I understand why my father, weak and frail, in silence slipped off his Navy ring, placed it in my hand and wrapped my fingers around it. I cannot understand why, but know that I must always give a special embrace to my husband, knowing of his pain felt coming home unwelcomed and unsung after the Vietnam War. I understand, that as the mother of a U.S. Marine, my tears nourish my pride, my pride tenders my strength and my strength holds steadfast to my faith.
12:57AM Friday January 1st, 2010: Rosie sleeps peacefully under my chair. It’s quiet outside. It’s quiet inside, except for the tapping of the keyboard. Afghanistan is so far away.
God is ever near.
Happy New Year U.S. of A. … may our Lord guide you into time unknown. Happy New Year to each and every man and woman serving in our Armed Forces abroad and at home … An extra Happy New Year shout to the U.S. Marine Corps …
From the Watson Family of San Jose CA... Thank you for your service and your sacrifice...
...and please watch Farewell Marine ... pause ... and remember all for which we should be grateful through out the history of our Armed Forces and the history of our cherished freedoms.
!! NOTE: If you are viewing/listening to YouTube or other videos embedded on this page, you will need to scroll down and mute the music on the Veterans Day Parade Slideshow.
Take Time to Give Thanks to Those Who Give All ... address given by Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North at the NRA Annual Meeting in 2009
Please join me in the celebration! Do you have an original poem celebrating our Flag or an original poem about our troops? Do you have original photos of Old Glory? I would love to include them here as a way to recognize our enduring freedom and a way to say "thank you" to those men and women who have served and are serving our courtry. (Credit given to all contributors) Comments are always welcome. If interested in having your poem or photo included in the Old Glory Parade, I can be reached at:
San Jose CA 2009 Veterans Day Parade ... downtown and a beautiful day. Enjoy the parade! The music repeats ... so if you want to turn it off just click on the mic. You can also scroll over picture to pause and get a closer look... ...or click on the minus sign or plus sign to decrease or increase the speed of the slide show.
For those who lost their lives at Fort Hood ... may you rest in peace. God Bless and keep you.
Just a simple flag I caught blowing in the wind with the old camera . Many of the homes in my neighborhood display the Flag and as a mom of a Marine seeing this show of patriotism is very much like being held up by loving arms against the force of my own emotions. It comforts me ... it helps sustain me. Thank you to all who proudly fly the Colors in front of a grateful home. ~jeanne
Veterans Day Graphics ... Tell a Vet "Thank You" ... and Happy 234th Birthday to the U.S. Marine Corps
October 31, 2009
~graphics by jeanne ... free to use to celebrate Veterans Day. Graphics are complied from my own photos and photos of the Veterans in my family. ... More to come ...
Thank you!!
My Dad ...
Yellow Ribbon round a tree in our neighborhood ...
San Jose Airport and he's headed back to Camp Pendleton ...
Oceanside ...
Oceanside window shopping ...
I've grown very fond of Oceanside and appreicate their care and concern for our Marines.
OCEANSIDE, Calif., Dec. 6, 2009
A Calif. Town Feels Afghan War's Impact
In Oceanside, Near Camp Pendleton, Nearly Everyone Is Linked to the Military - and Feeling the Strain of Repeated Deployments
By Terry McCarthy
(CBS) The president announced this week an additional 30,000 U.S. troops will head to Afghanistan. Of course, in this country that means more changes on the home front, and not just at home, as CBS News correspondent Terry McCarthy reports from Camp Pendleton, Calif. Mia Wayne has her own way of supporting the war in Afghanistan. She lives in Oceanside, right next to the Marine Corps base of Camp Pendleton, so she invited two Marines to Thanksgiving dinner. "They were thankful - they were thankful to have a home-cooked meal," Wayne said. Oceanside's population of 170,000 are strong backers of the military - particularly now some 4,000 more Marines from Camp Pendleton are likely to be deployed to Afghanistan starting this month as part of President Obama's new war strategy. "I think we have to finish the job," Wayne said. "With 30,000 people more; if that's what it's going to take, okay." Or as Oceanside Council Member Jerry Kern put it, "The Marines' job is to support the mission, and our job is to support the Marines." Everybody here feels it when a big deployment happens. "The town empties out," said resident Scott Gladden. "There's a lot less people here, a lot of women with their husbands gone, so you see a lot of ladies and children walking around without their daddies." Oceanside is a proud military town, but with three-quarters of the population linked to someone who is - or was - serving in the armed forces, they know better than anyone how much this war really costs. Dawn O'Brien has a son, son-in-law and daughter-in-law in the military. As a mother, she says every day of their deployments is torture: "Constant fear. Constant, 24-hour fear." O'Brien thinks the repeated deployments have pushed the military to breaking point. "Some of them have gone two, three, some four, some are even on their fifth tours," she said. "It's just too much." In Oceanside's Mary's Diner, retired teacher Marilyn Pirkola sees no easy way out of this war. "It causes one to ponder - and I would say to pray," Pirkola said. "I pray for soldiers at war." It's a war that in Oceanside is constantly part of everyday life.
Please join me in the celebration! Do you have an original poem celebrating our Flag or an original poem about our troops? Do you have original photos of Old Glory? I would love to include them here as a way to recognize our enduring freedom and a way to say "thank you" to those men and women who have served and are serving our courtry. (Credit given to all contributors) Comments are always welcome. If interested in having your poem or photo included in the Old Glory Parade, I can be reached at:
actions360-oldgloryparade@yahoo.com
..or..
jrene5catz@jeannerenepoetry.com
Please browse through the archives ...
Saratoga High School Gym ...
Old VW around the block from home ... mini Old Glory on the dashboard ...
Old Glory in the neighborhood, Del Mar and Flag Pants
September 18, 2009
Photos ~ jeanne
Flag Pants -- Picture sent by Sally. Pants were made from material bought at the old Elliott's Yardage shop on Camden Ave. in San Jose. Thanks Sally .... I love the picture!
U.S. Flag in Main Office at Del Mar High School ... San Jose CA
American Flag pictures contributed by friends ..... Thank you!!!
June 24, 2009
Picture provided by Anne ... Thank you!
Homosassas Springs State Park in Florida -- A Bald Eagle injured in the wild, now being cared for at the State Park, where all of the birds in the park cannot survive outside the park on their own.
Three pictures provided by April ........ thank you!!
Statue commemorating the U.S. Marines ... I need to find the location of this memorial and will return to post its location...
Hi. I've just a few shots I took during June. My favorite of this bunch is the Audio/Visual office door. It has been proudly decorated by our Audio/Visual Technician at school. I really had to smile seeing the old Reagan poster...it brough on a rush of memories.
BTW .... I'm a proud Marine Mom who just wants to show my appreciation to our military men and women ... and military families. I started taking photos of the U.S. Flag a little over a year ago, and during that time I've found that signs of patriotism are of plenty in my neighborhood! I've enjoyed capturing these images and now I feel naked without my camera. I hope you enjoy the photos. Please feel free to comment ... even just to say "Hi." It gets a little lonely taking to myself.
Please join me in the celebration! Do you have an original poem celebrating our Flag or an original poem about our troops? Do you have original photos of Old Glory? I would love to include them here as a way to recognize our enduring freedom and a way to say "thank you" to those men and women who have served and are serving our courtry. (Credit given to all contributors) Comments are always welcome. If interested in having your poem or photo included in the Old Glory Parade, I can be reached at:
actions360-oldgloryparade@yahoo.com
..or..
jrene5catz@jeannerenepoetry.com
Photos ~ jeanne
Flags in front of Michaels Arts and Crafts ... San Jose, CA
A Marine holds an American flag out the window a bus headed to Hickham Air Force Base, where Marines and Sailors from 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment departed for Iraq Sunday.(Oah'u) 10/3/08
Photo from the Hawaii Marine Newspaper.
Please join me in the celebration! Do you have an original poem celebrating our Flag or an original poem about our troops? Do you have original photos of Old Glory? I would love to include them here as a way to recognize our enduring freedom and a way to say "thank you" to those men and women who have served and are serving our courtry. (Credit given to all contributors.)
Comments are always welcome. If interested in having your poem or photo included in the Old Glory Parade, I can be reached at:
Please join me in the celebration! Do you have an original poem celebrating our Flag or an original poem about our troops? Do you have original photos of Old Glory? I would love to include them here as a way to recognize our enduring freedom and a way to say "thank you" to those men and women who have served and are serving our courtry. (Credit given to all contributors.)
Comments are always welcome. If interested in having your poem or photo included in the Old Glory Parade, I can be reached at:
I've actually found several sites with instruction of step by step instruction on how to fold the Flag, however USFlag.org is my favorite link: http://www.usflag.org/foldflag.html
Flags in front of school district office...
Old Glory and Marine Corps Flag ...
Here is a portion of the flag ceremony as quoted from USFlag.com:
The meaning of each fold:
The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.
The second fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life.
The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks who gave a portion of life for the defense of our country to attain a peace throughout the world.
The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in times of war for His divine guidance.
The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, "Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong."
The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.
The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered in to the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor mother, for whom it flies on mother's day.
The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood; for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great have been molded.
The tenth fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born.
The eleventh fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
The twelfth fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost
When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, "In God we Trust."
Pictures taken by Anne R./ Germany Parade in honor of Hernando De Soto, Spanish explorer and conqueror April 26th 2008 during a visit to Bradenton, Florida
Thank You Anne!
... so happy to have been able to include these pictures taken in Florida!
I will add your Stars and Strips to this parade. You may leave a link to your photo in "comments". Please remember to add the location and a simple description, as well as, your name so credit may be given for the photo. You may email me with a photo and information. Thank you and I hope you will join me along the parade route.
Old Glory - Anderson Spilt Pea Soup - Buellton, California
July 25, 2008
Photos ~ jeanne
Left turn ....
Anderson's Inn and Restraurant ...
I will add your Stars and Strips to this parade. You may leave a link to your photo in "comments". Please remember to add the location and a simple description, as well as, your name so credit may be given for the photo. You may email me with a photo and information. Thank you and I hope you will join me along the parade route.
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
I will add your Stars and Strips to this parade. You may leave a link to your photo in "comments". Please remember to add the location and a simple description, as well as, your name so credit may be given for the photo. You may email me with a photo and information. Thank you and I hope you will join me along the parade route.
Old Glory above Marine Corps Recruit Depot and at Old Town - San Diego, CA
June 15, 2008
Driving to San Diego, CA...
Flag by Parade Deck, MCRD, San Diego, CA
...all photos taken by jeanne
I will add your Stars and Strips to this parade. You may leave a link to your photo in "comments". Please remember to add the location and a simple description, as well as, your name so credit may be given for the photo. You may email me with a photo and information. Thank you and I hope you will join me along the parade route.
Flag in Old Town window... San Diego, CA
Flag in Old Town store...
Flag in Old Town...
Flag in Old Town...
Flag by Parade Deck, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego...
I AM THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA By Howard Schnauber
I am the flag of the United States of America. My name is "Old Glory". I fly atop the world's tallest buildings. I stand watch in America's halls of justice. I fly majestically over institutions of learning. I stand guard with power in the world. Look up and see me.
I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice. I stand for freedom. I am confident. I am arrogant. I am proud.
When I am flown with my fellow banners, My head is a little higher, My colors a little truer.
I bow to no one! I am recognized all over the world. I am worshipped -- I am saluted. I am loved -- I am revered. I am respected -- and I am feared.
I have fought in every battle of every war for more then 200 years. I was flown at Valley Forge, Gettysburg, Shiloh and Appomattox. I was there at San Juan Hill, the trenches of France, in the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome and the beaches of Normandy, Guam, Okinawa, Korea, and Vietnam. I was there. I led my troops. I was dirty, battle-weary and tired, but my soldiers cheered me And I was proud.
I have been burned, torn and trampled on the streets of countries I have helped set free. It does not hurt, for I am invincible.
I have been soiled upon, burned, torn and trampled on the streets of my country. And when it's by those whom I've served in battle -- it hurts. But I shall overcome -- for I am strong.
I have slipped the bonds of Earth and stood watch over the uncharted frontiers of space from my vantage point on the moon. I have borne silent witness to all of America's finest hours. But my finest hours are yet to come.
When I am torn into strips and used as bandages for my wounded comrades on the battlefield, When I am flown at half-mast to honor my soldier, Or when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving parent at the grave of their fallen son or daughter, I am proud.
MY NAME IS "OLD GLORY". LONG MAY I WAVE. DEAR GOD IN HEAVEN, LONG MAY I WAVE.
Old Glory - San Jose State University Graduation 2008
May 24, 2008
I will add your Stars and Strips to this parade. You may leave a link to your photo in "comments". Please remember to add the location and a simple description, as well as, your name so credit may be given for the photo. You may email me with a photo and information. Thank you and I hope you will join me along the parade route.
...all photos in this post taken by jeanne...
U.S. Flag and California State Flag on stadium score board...
U.S. Flag and California State Flag and graduating students...
U.S. Flag and California State Flag in front of empty chairs...
del.icio.us
Comments are always welcome. If interested in having your poem or photo included in the Old Glory Parade, you can email me at:
Everybody is busy ...
!!Spring!! 
Packing boxes for my son's unit...thank you to some very wonderful and special friends ... Judy, Judi, Jo Anne, Oscar, Karen, Barry and Dennis!! 
For those who lost their lives at Fort Hood ... may you rest in peace. God Bless and keep you. 
