Citizen Activity Badge Outline -- Community Group

What does citizenship mean to you?  The right to go where you want without government interference; the right to free speech; the right to choose our own religion or many other things.
You as Webelos leader will be more fully able to answer this question as you help your boys towards earning this activity badge which is required for the highest award a Cub Scout may earn before entering Boy Scouts, the Arrow of Light.
During this time you will gain invaluable insight into the way the boys of today view their citizenship as well as, hopefully, reinforce your own views.
Citizenship actually means taking part in your national government as well as your state and local governments by using the power of the vote and keeping actively informed about what is going on.
Working on the Citizenship badge can be as interesting or as dull as YOU the leader makes it.  Adult Americans have long seen "Law" as a synonym for "Justice".  Youth sees justice as being fair play.  At least, that's the way many of them see police, courts and other symbols of law.  Our Webelos Scouts have been exposed to terms such as "pig", "fuzz" and other uncomplimentary words describing law and order.  We have an opportunity through the Citizen Activity Badge to teach them respect for law and authority.

Objectives:
To foster citizenship in Webelos
To teach boys to recognize the qualities of a good citizen
To introduce boys to the structure of the U.S. government
To familiarize boys with the basics of American history
To convince boys that laws are beneficial
To encourage Webelos to become community volunteers

The Plan:
The Citizen Activity Badge is recommended to be presented in a two month format, as outlined in the Webelos Program Helps booklet.  This example outline presents the Badge in eight weekly meetings.  It is possible to accomplish enough requirements in four or five weeks -- I've done it with a Den.  Every requirement in the first section is covered in the outline in eight meetings.  Each Scout who attends all meetings will satisfy all of the first set of requirements.  
The electives can be worked on partly in the Den meeting, partly at home. I prefer to pick a couple of the electives and treat them as hard requirements.  In particular I use #8, Visit a community leader, as a field trip outside the Den meeting time, to visit the City Mayor.  Also, requirements 12 or 13 can be hard requirements that are done by each Scout.  The remaining electives are then discussed, in some detail, during the Den meetings, in order to impart a good deal of information to the Scouts and hopefully increase their thinking skills as a Citizen.
A note:  Most of the things the Scouts will learn when working on this badge will be forgotten quickly.  You should drill them on the basic points each meeting.  This is also the right time to start having each scout take a turn leading the opening flag ceremony.
Use the Webelos book in the meeting.  Have the Scouts read sections from the book.  Use all the resources you have available, such as the Program Helps and the Webelos Den Activities Book.  Make sure you sign off their books each meeting.

Week 1

Requirements to be fulfilled:
Do All of These:
1.	Know the names of the President and Vice President of the United States.  Know the names of the governor of your state and the head of your local government.
And do two of these:
7.	Tell about two things you have done to help law enforcement agencies.

Discussion :
1.	Read the introduction and requirements on pages 83 - 85  Discuss the requirements and how they will be worked on in and outside the Den.  Make sure you alert the Scouts and the parents about any field trips that will be planned.  Also, make sure you telephone the parents a few days before the field trip -- it helps attendance.
2.	Read Page 86 on Government and You.  "The right to vote for our elected officials is one of the most important rights we have as American citizens."
	Have each Scout open their binders to a blank piece of paper.  Ask who knows the name of the President, Vice President, Governor and Mayor.  If one stumps them, tell them the name.  Have them write the names down.  You can talk a little about their political parties, what they believe in, the programs they promote.  Talk about elections, who can vote, the difference between primary elections and general elections, who votes for President and how often.
3.	Read page 88 on Helping the Police.
	Discuss the ways a person can help the police.  Ask the Scouts how they have helped the Police or other agencies.

Homework:
1.	Ask your parents what they know about the President, Vice President, Governor and Mayor.  Ask them how they select who they will vote for in elections.

Week 2

Requirements to be fulfilled:
2.	Describe the flag of the United States and give a short history of it.  With another Webelos Scout helping you show how to hoist and lower the flag, how to hang it horizontally and vertically on a wall, and how to fold it.
8.	Visit a community leader.  Learn about the duties of the job or office.  Tell the members of your Webelos den what you have learned.

Discussion :
1.	Read page 87 on History of Our Flag.  Discuss the history of our flag with books closed and have the Scouts volunteer what they remember from what they read.  The Scouts will probably quickly forget the history.  Drill it a few times over a few weeks.
2.	Read pages 88 - 89 on Showing Respect to the Flag.  If you have a flagpole handy, have the scouts pair up and practice raising and lowering a flag.  Practice folding the flag again.  A local school will probably let you do this.  If no flagpole is available, have the scouts describe with books closed how to do it.
3.	With a flag, have the Scouts show how and where a flag is hung on a wall.
4.	Practice folding the flag.  Flag folding is a very important skill for Scouts to learn.
5.	Plan your trip to the community leader.  Make sure, whether the trip will be during a meeting or another time, that the parents are alerted several days early.  Take care of any transportation problems, so that all Scouts who need this badge will be there.  This is important.

	Talk in the Den about what you want to ask the community leader.

Homework:
1.	Have your trip to the community leader.  
2.	Do you have a book about presidents that you can bring into the Den meeting?

Week 3

Requirements to be fulfilled:
3.	Explain why you should respect your country's flag.  Tell what special days you should fly it in your state. Tell when to salute the flag and show how to do it.
9.	Write a short story of not less than 50 words about a former U.S. President or some other great American man or woman.  Give a report on this to your Webelos den.

Discussion :
1.	Drill on history of the flag, flag placement and flag folding.
2.	From the reading last week (refresh if necessary page 88), why should we respect our flag.
3.	Read pages 89 - 90 on Saluting the flag.
	When should you salute the flag?  When with the Scout Salute?  When with your hand over your heart?
4.	Bring in material about great Americans.  Leader, do you have a book about presidents that you can bring into the Den meeting?  Talk about a couple great Americans.  What did they do that makes us admire them?  Does anyone want to write the essay?  Where do you find additional information?

Resources :  HONORING OUR FLAG

It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset...however, the flag may be displayed at night on special occasions when it is desired to produce a patriotic effect. If displayed at night the flag should be illuminated. Certain historic and symbolic locations have flown the flag 24 hours a day for many years weather permitting .
The flag should be flown and displayed on all days when weather permits, particularly on national and state holidays, on historic and special occasions such as:

New Years' Day	Inauguration Day
Lincoln's Birthday	Washington's Birthday
Easter Sunday	Loyalty and Law Day
Mother's Day	Armed Forces Day
Flay Day 	Memorial Day
Labor Day	Independence Day
Columbus Day 	Constitution and Citizenship Day
Veteran's Day	Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day

Also any other time that may be proclaimed by the President of the United States, (like National Flag Week), birthdays of states (dates of admission to the Union), and on state holidays. 
All citizens should know how to display their country's flag and how to salute it. Owning a flag and displaying it properly are marks of patriotism and respect.

Homework:
1.	Those who choose to, write the essay.

Week 4

Requirements to be fulfilled:
4.	Know the Pledge of Allegiance and repeat it from memory.  Explain its meaning in your own words.  Lead your Webelos Den in reciting the pledge.
10.	Tell about another boy you think is a good citizen.  Tell what he does that makes you think he is a good citizen.

Discussion :
1.	Drill on history of the flag, flag placement and flag folding.
2.	Have each Scout recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
3.	Read page 90 on the Meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance
	Discuss the meaning of the words.
4.	Read pages 95 - 96 on What makes a Good Citizen.
	Have the Scouts think about their school chums and other kids they know.  Do they know another kid that is a good citizen?  Have them explain why they think so.

Resources:  SALUTING THE FLAG
The Cub Scout salute signifies respect and courtesy. It is used to salute the American Flag and as a recognition of a position of leadership. The Cub Scout salute throughout the world is made with the right hand, with the first two fingers extended to touch the cap, or forehead of no cap is worn.

WHEN IN UNIFORM - Salute with your head covered or uncovered, either indoors or outdoors, stand at attention and salute with your right hand.
WHEN NOT IN UNIFORM - During ceremonies stand at attention, place your right hand over your heart. Men wearing hats should remove them and hold them over there heart. At sporting  events team members wearing uniforms should uncover their heads, stand at attention and hold their hat in the right hand.
DURING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM - Stand at attention, facing the flag, and salute at the first note. Hold the salute until the very last note of the anthem. If there is no flag or it cannot be seen, face the music. Stand at attention but do not salute if the National Anthem is sung without accompaniment or is a recording.
AT PARADES AND REVIEWS - Start your salute when the approaching flag is approximately six paces (12 feet) from you. Drop the salute when the flag is about the same distance past you. Follow this procedure when the flag is carried by mounted flag bearers or passes you on a vehicle, provided the flag is flown from a staff. A flag draped coffin rates the same honor as the flag passing in a parade. It is customary to salute when "Taps" is sounded at a military funeral.
The salute is held during the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance as you face the flag. Remember, you are saluting the flag and saying the Pledge of Allegiance, one does not say the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
WHEN COLORS ARE RAISED - Stand at attention facing the flagpole. Salute as soon as the flag is started on its way up and hold the salute until it is at the peak. If the flag is to be flown at half-mast, hold the salute until it is lowered to half-mast after first being hoisted to the peak.
AT RETREAT - State the salute at the moment the flag is on its way down and hold until the flag is gathered at the base of the flag staff. If the flag is at half-mast, salute as it is first hoisted to the peak; hold the salute until it is gathered at the base.
SIMPLY SAID - Salute the Flag of the United States of America ;
• When you say the Pledge of Allegiance.
• The moment a flag passes in front of you at a parade.
• From the moment the flag starts raising up a pole and until it reaches the top.
• From the moment it starts lowering until in the hands of the color guard.
• When the flag is present and the "Stars Spangle Banner" is being played.
• With pride.

Homework:
1.	Watch the kids around you to see who are good citizens.

Week 5

Requirements to be fulfilled:
5.	Tell about the meaning of our National Anthem and how it was written.
11.	List the names of five people you think are good citizens.  They can be from any country.  Tell why you chose each of them.

Discussion :
1.	Drill on history of the flag, flag placement and flag folding.
2.	Read page 95 on our National Anthem.
	Read the first verse of the Star Spangled Banner so that the Scouts know what you are talking about.  Explain the meaning of the words and relate them to the story.
	Extra Credit:  Read the rest of the verses, just to explain what it all means.
3.	Arrive with names and brief bio's on the five people you think are good citizens.  Ask the Scouts for their names.  They likely will not have any.  Of if they say the president, etc, they will not have a good explanation of why.  Use the time to discuss your choices and why you chose them.  That will help them think through why they would choose someone.

Resources:  Your Duties As A Citizen
If you are going to have rights as a citizen and you want to keep them, then you also have certain duties to uphold.  You duties as a citizen are:
Obey the laws.
Respect the rights of others.
Keep informed on issues of National and local government
To vote in elections.
To assist the agencies of law enforcement.
To practice and teach good citizenship in your home.

Resources:  Some Qualities Of A Good Citizen

Obeys the laws where ever he is.
Respects the rights of others.
Is fair and honest.
Tries to make community a better place to live.
Learns as much as possible about leaders of Nation, state, community.
Practices rules of health and safety.
Is honest and dependable.
Is patriotic and loyal.
Practices thrift.
Respects authority.

Homework:
1.	Read the newspaper, watch the news on TV, find someone you think is a good citizen.  Tell your Den who and why next week.

Week 6

Requirements to be fulfilled:
6.	Explain the rights and duties of a citizen of the United States.  Explain what a citizen should do to save our resources.
12.	Tell why we have laws.  Tell why you think it is important to obey the law.  Tell about three laws you obeyed this week.

Discussion :
1.	Drill on history of the flag, flag placement and flag folding.
2.	Drill on history and meaning of the National Anthem.
3.	Read pages 92 - 93 on Your Rights and Duties.  As you read each one ask if that is something they need to do or just their parents.
	Discuss Rights and Duties.  What are the different Rights and Duties of children and adults?
4.	Scouts are concerned with the environment and saving our natural resources.  Why?  What can we do to help?
5.	Read pages 97 - 99 on Why We Need Laws and Government, and Laws You Obey.
	Discuss why we need laws:  Why do we need laws?  What would happen if we did not have laws?  How are laws made?  What happens if you break a law?  Should you break laws when you know you won't be caught?  Are all laws good?  If there is a bad law, what should we do about it?  What can a one person do about a bad law?  What laws did you obey this week?

Homework:
1.	Think about your rights and duties to your community and nation this week.  
2.	Do you obey the law?

Week 7

Requirements to be fulfilled:
13.	Tell why we have a government.  Explain some ways your family helps pay for government.
14.	List six ways in which your country helps or works with other nations.

Discussion :
1.	Drill on history of the flag, flag placement and flag folding.
2.	Drill on history and meaning of the National Anthem.
3.	Read page 92 on Paying for Government.  
	Discuss why we need government.  What would happen if we did not have government?  Talk about paying for government.  Income taxes.  Sales Taxes.  Import duties.  Business Taxes.
4.	Read pages 99 - 100 on Citizenship in the World.
	Discuss what our country does for other countries.  Have the Scouts open their binders to a blank piece of paper and together discuss six ways out country helps or works with other countries and have the Scouts write them down.  Examples are in the book.  Also, defending other countries militarily, etc.  Why is all this not always good for US Citizens?  Very costly!

Homework:
1.	Can you find examples in the newspaper of our country doing things for other countries?

Week 8

Requirements to be fulfilled:
15.	Name three organizations, not churches or synagogues, that help people in your area.  Tell something about what one of these organizations does.

Discussion :
1.	Drill on history of the flag, flag placement and flag folding.
2.	Drill on history and meaning of the National Anthem.
3.	This is the last week of this badge, so use the time to review and catch anyone up who has not completed all necessary requirements.  Make sure you sign off their books.
4.	Read pages 101 - 102 on Citizenship in Your Town, and Citizenship and You.
	Arrive with examples of organizations that help people in your community.  Examples in the South Bay Area are the Second Harvest Food Bank, CitiTeam Ministries, Goodwill, United Way, Police Athletic League, Boy Scouts of America (food drives), etc.  Have the Scouts suggest organizations.  It is likely that they will not have any ideas, so then explain your examples.

Citizen Activity Badge Den Leaders Record
	List Boy's Names

Date:  			
	Month/Year

Requirements
Do Four of These:													
1.	Know the names of the President and Vice President of the United States.  Know the names of the governor of your state and the head of your local government.													
2.	Describe the flag of the United States and give a short history of it.  With another Webelos Scout helping you show how to hoist and lower the flag, how to hang it horizontally and vertically on a wall, and how to fold it.													
3.	Explain why you should respect your country's flag.  Tell what special days you should fly it in your state. Tell when to salute the flag and show how to do it.													
4.	Know the Pledge of Allegiance and repeat it from memory.  Explain its meaning in your own words.  Lead your Webelos Den in reciting the pledge.													
5.	Tell about the meaning of our National Anthem and how it was written.													
6.	Explain the rights and duties of a citizen of the United States.  Explain what a citizen should do to save our resources.													
And Do Two of These:													
7.	Tell about two things you have done to help law enforcement agencies.													
8.	Visit a community leader.  Learn about the duties of the job or office.  Tell the members of your Webelos den what you have learned.													
9.	Write a short story of not less than 50 words about a former U.S. President or some other great American man or woman.  Give a report on this to your Webelos den.													
10.	Tell about another boy you think is a good citizen.  Tell what he does that makes you think he is a good citizen.													
11.	List the names of five people you think are good citizens.  They can be from any country.  Tell why you chose each of them.													
12.	Tell why we have laws.  Tell why you think it is important to obey the law.  Tell about three laws you obeyed this week.													
13.	Tell why we have a government.  Explain some ways your family helps pay for government.													
14.	List six ways in which your country helps or works with other nations.													
15.	Name three organizations, not churches or synagogues, that help people in your area.  Tell something about what one of these organizations does.													

Date Completed													
Awarded													

GAMES

HEADS OF GOVERNMENT GAME
Materials:  Pictures of government officials.

Directions:	Have boys match up the correct name with the correct official.

NEWSPAPER STUDY
Materials:  One current newspaper per team.

Directions:	Divide boys into teams.  On signal, each team starts a search for news items that definitely illustrate the Scout Law.  Team with the most clippings in a given time is the winner.

BUILD A FLAG
Materials:	Cardboard flags - 1 each of 5 U.S. flags shown in Citizen section of the Webelos book.  1 set for each team, divided into stripes, background, field of stars, name of flag and year of flag.
Corkboard
Push pins

Directions:	Divide Scouts into two teams.  First Scout from each team runs to his pile of pieces, grabs a stripe background and a push pin and pins it to the corkboard.  First Scout runs back and touches off the second Scout who pins up a star field piece which matches the stripe background.  Next team member matches appropriate flag name and four pins up the year of the flag.  Continue to rotate until all five flags have been properly constructed, named and dated.

AMERICA'S SYMBOLS QUIZ
1.	The right hand of the Statue of Liberty hold a torch.
2.	Which is taller - the Statue of Liberty or the Washington Monument?
3.	What words are inscribed on the ribbon held in the mouth on the eagle on the Great Seal of the United States?
4.	In the Great Seal, what is the eagle carrying in its talons?
5.	What denomination of currency has the Great Seal printed on it?
6.	How many people can fit inside the head of the Statue of Liberty?
7.	What is the official U.S. Motto.
8.	Francis Scott Key was inspired to write the "Star-Spangled Banner" when he saw the flag still flying over what fort.
9.	Name the four U.S. Presidents carved in the Mt. Rushmore memorial in South Dakota.
10.	The Declaration of Independence says that all men are created?

Answers:
1.	Book
2.	The Washington Monument
3.	E pluribus unum (one out of many)
4.	Arrow symbolizing war and an olive branch of peace
5.	The $1.00 bill
6.	40
7.	In God We Trust
8.	Ft. McHenry
9.	George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt
10.	Equal

WEBELOS CITIZEN
1.	Name the state tree:_____________________________________
2.	Name the state flower:___________________________________
3.	Name the state stone:____________________________________
4.	Name the state fish:_____________________________________
5.	Name the Governor:________________________________________
6.	Name the state capitol:__________________________________

CITIZENSHIP TEST
Materials:  None

Directions:	Two teams face each other with a wide space between them. The leader asks each player a question about the Declaration of Independence, the Star-Spangled Banner, the President, Vice-President, Governor, or other fitting subject.  A correct answer entitles that team to move one step forward.  An incorrect answer passes the question to the other team.  The first team to cross the other team's starting line is the winner.

GOOD TURN IDEAS
1.	Give some of the toys Cub Scouts may have made as part of the Craftsman badge to a children's home, hospital or institution for handicapped children.  Use Craftsman skills to repair or refurbish toys for the same purpose.
2.	Give a holiday party for children in a home or hospital.  Plan games, songs, small gifts and treats.
3.	Collect canned foods or good used clothing for distribution to the needy by Salvation Army, Goodwill Industries, churches or other organizations.
4.	Collect good used books and magazines for the library of a children's home or institution for the elderly.

KNOWING YOUR COMMUNITY
As a project, your den might like to check out the following list to see which of the things listed can be found in their community, who operates them and how they are paid for:

Health - hospitals, clinics, doctors, dentist, ambulance service, water filtration plant, sewage disposal, garbage collection.
Protection - storm sewers, fire and police protection.
Education - public schools, high schools, colleges, night schools, vocational schools, libraries.
Recreation - theaters, pools, parks, playgrounds, golf courses, lakes.
Transportation - roads, highways, bus terminal, train station, airport, parking lots, garages, service stations, car lots.
Stores - shopping centers, supermarkets, corner stores, appliance stores, markets.
Business - what major companies are there in you community?
Industrial - what items are manufactured?
Agriculture - what products are produced locally?
Voluntary Agencies - what agencies are there?  What do they do in the community?  Organizations and Clubs - service? fraternal? hobby?
Religion - churches, synagogues, temples, halls, seminaries.

The Pledge of Allegiance According to Red Skelton
Thanks to Chris Haggerty 

FOR THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED, here is the complete, un-edited text, as presented by Red Skelton, on The Red Skelton Hour, January 14, 1969. I have tried to recreate this as best as possible. With a hearing impairment, I may have missed a couple of words (hidden in the laughter during his introduction of the pledge), but this should be very close to the exact words that Red Skelton recited for his show. 

It is hard to recreate Red's timing and presentation. I still think he was one of the very best and wish he would release his show for re-runs. (I was a boy scout when I saw him do this on his show.) The presentation has background music and is hard to present better than Red Skelton did, especially if you have people there who had watched Red Skelton and they can imagine him standing there doing this. 

Red Skelton:
"Getting back to school, getting back to school, I remember a teacher that I had. Now I only wee, I went, I went through the seventh grade, I went through the seventh grade. I left home when I was 10 years old because I was hungry. (laughter) And .. this is true. I worked in the Summer and went to school in the Winter. But, I had this one teacher, he was the principal of the Harrison school, in Vincennes Indiana. To me, this was the greatest teacher, a real sage of ... of my time, anyhow. 

He had such wisdom. And we were all reciting the Pledge of Allegiance one day, and he walked over. This little old teacher ... Mr. Lasswell was his name. ... Mr. Lasswell was his ah ... 

(at this point a pause and laughter. Red is making faces and playing with his hat!) 

He says: ... 

"I've been listening to you boys and girls recite the Pledge of Allegiance .. all semester ... and it seems as though it is becoming monotonous to you. 

If I may, may I recite it and try to explain to you the meaning of each word. 

*I* -- me, an individual, a committee of one.
*Pledge*--dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self-pity.
*Allegiance*--my love and my devotion.
*To the Flag*--our standard, Old Glory, a symbol of freedom. Wherever she waves, there is respect, because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts freedom is everybody's job.
*United*--that means that we have all come together.
*States*--individual communities that have united into 48 great states. 48 individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose, all divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose, and that's love for country.
*And to the Republic*--Republic, a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people and it's from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people.
*For Which It Stands*
*One Nation* -- One nation, meaning, so blessed by God.
*Indivisible* -- incapable of being divided.
*With Liberty* -- which is freedom, the right of power to live one's own life without threats or fear or some sort of retaliation.
*And Justice* -- the principle or qualities of dealing fairly with others.
*For All*--For all... which means boys and girls, it's as much your country, as it is mine."

And now boys and girls let me hear you recite, the Pledge of Allegiance. 

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." 

Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country and two words have been added to the Pledge of Allegiance - "under God". 

Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said, "That is a prayer" and that would be eliminated from schools, too? 

I am Your Flag

I am the symbol of the living America, the badge of its greatness, the emblem of its destiny. 

I am faith. It is I who keep men mindful of their priceless heritage, life, liberty, and the right to pursue happiness. 

I am hope. I represent the land of promise wherein, already, man's loftiest dreams have approached closer to realization than ever before on this earth. 

I am life. Each strand and fiber of my being is a memorial, dedicated to the sacrifices of all those strong men and steadfast women who have lived and died in the nation's service, that it might live forever. 

I am tolerance. So long as I shall wave, all people under my protection may freely worship, think, write and speak, undaunted by the shadow of fear. 

I am justice, tempered with mercy. For I am friend to the oppressed and downtrodden of every land. 

I am a sign of the future. I wave over schools throughout the nation and in them the nation's future is molded. 

I am the flag of the United States... the last... the best hope for peace on earth. 

-- Thanks to Bill Nelson, WL, Pack 878, ASM, Troop 14, Unit Commissioner, Tempe District, Grand Canyon Council, Phoenix, Arizona USA mailto:nelsonb@aztec.asu.edu 

  I AM YOUR FLAG 
by Marine Master Sargeant Percy Webb

      I am your flag. 
      I was born June 14, 1777. 
      I am more then just cloth shaped into a design. 
      I am the refuge of the World's oppressed people. 
      I am the silent sentinel of freedom. 
      I am the emblem of the greatest sovereign nation on earth. 
      I am the inspiration for which American Patriots gave their lives and fortunes. 
      I have led your sons into battle from Valley Forge to the dense jungles of Vietnam
      [deserts of Iraq]. 
      I walk in silence with each of your honored dead to their final resting 
      place beneath the silent white crosses - row upon row. 
      I have flown through peace and war; strife and prosperity; and amidst it all, I
      have been respected. 
      I am your flag. 
      My red stripes symbolize the blood spilled in defense of this glorious nation. 
      My white stripes signify the yearning tears shed by Americans who lost their sons
      and daughters. 
      My blue field is indicative of God's heaven, under which I fly. 
      My stars, clustered together, unify fifty states as one, for God and Country. "Old
      Glory" is my nickname, and I proudly wave on high. Honor me, respect me, defend
      me with your lives and your fortunes. 
      Never let my enemies tear me down from my lofty position, lest I never return. 
      Keep alight the fires of patriotism; strive earnestly for the spirit of Democracy. 
      Worship Eternal God, and keep his commandments; and I shall remain the bulwark
      of peace and freedom for all mankind. 
      I AM YOUR FLAG! 

I Am Old Glory

I am old glory; for more the 9 score years I have been the banner of hope and freedom for generation after generation of Americans. Born amid the first flames of America's fight for freedom, I am the symbol of a country that has grown from a little group of 13 colonies to a united nation of 50 sovereign states. Planted firmly on the high pinnacle of American Faith, my gently fluttering folds have proved an inspiration to untold millions. Men have followed me into battle with unwavering courage. They have looked upon me as a symbol of national unity. They have prayed that they and their fellow citizens might continue to enjoy the life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, which have been granted to every American as the heritage of free men. So long as men love liberty more than life itself, so long as they treasure the priceless privileges bought with the blood of our forefathers; so long as the principles of truth, justice and charity for all remain deeply rooted in human hearts, I shall continue to be the enduring banner of the United States of America. 

-- Thanks to Bill Nelson, WL, Pack 878, ASM, Troop 14, Unit Commissioner, Tempe District, Grand Canyon Council, Phoenix, Arizona USA mailto:nelsonb@aztec.asu.edu