The name "Old Glory" was first applied to the U.S. flag by a young sea captain who lived in Salem, Mass. On his twenty-first birthday, March 17, 1824, Capt. William Driver was presented a beautiful flag by his mother and a group of Salem girls. Driver was delighted with the gift. He exclaimed, "I name her 'Old Glory." Then Old Glory accompanied the captain on his many voyages.

Captain Driver quit the sea in 1837. He settled in Nashville, Tenn. On patriotic days he displayed Old Glory proudly from a rope extending from his house to a tree across the street. After Tennessee seceded from the Union in 1861, Captain Driver hid Old Glory. He sewed the flag inside a comforter. When Union soldiers entered Nashville on February 25, 1862, Driver removed Old Glory from its hiding place. He carried the flag to the state capitol building and raised it.

Shortly before his death, the old sea captain placed a small bundle into the arms of his daughter. He said to her, "Mary Jane, this is my ship flag, Old Glory. It has been my constant companion. I love it as a mother loves her child. Cherish it as I have cherished it."

The flag remained as a precious heirloom in the Driver family until 1922. Then it was sent to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, where it is carefully preserved under glass today.

As a schoolboy, one of Red Skelton's teachers explained the words and meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance to his class. Skelton later wrote down, and eventually recorded, his recollection of this lecture. It is followed by an observation of his own.

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 forty-eight great states. Forty-eight individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose. All divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose, and that is 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, 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, under God, 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?"
Red Skelton

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 into 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 he or she was 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 the Holy Ghost.

When the flag is completely folded, the stars are upper most reminding us of our national motto, "In God we Trust."

After the flag is completely folded and tucked in , it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington and the sailors and marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today.

Some call me Old Glory, others call me the Star Spangled Banner, but whatever they call me, I am your Flag - the Flag of the United States of America. There has been something that has been bothering me, so I thought that I might talk it over with you here today.

I remember some time ago, (I think it was Memorial Day, or was it Veterans' Day?) that people were lined up on both sides of the street for a parade. A high school band was behind me and, naturally, I was leading the parade. When your Daddy saw me coming along waving in the breeze, he immediately removed his hat and placed it so that his right hand was directly over his heart.

And you - I remember you.

Standing there as straight as a soldier, you didn't have any hat, but you were giving me the right salute. Remember, they taught you in school to place your right hand over your heart, and little sister, not to be outdone, was saluting the same as you. There were some soldiers home on leave and they were standing at attention giving the military salute. Oh, I was very proud as I came down your street that day.

Now, I may sound as if I am a little conceited, Well I am!

I have a right to be, because I represent you, the people of the United States of America.

But what happened? I am still the same old flag. Oh, I have a couple more stars added since you were a boy. A lot more stars added since the beginning of this country, and and lot more blood shed since that patroitic day so long ago.

Now I don't feel as proud as I used to. When I come down your street, some people just stand there with their hands in their pockets and give me a small glance and then look away. I see children running around and shouting. They don't seem to know who I am.

Is it a sin to be patriotic anymore? Have some people forgotten what I stand for? Have they forgotten all the battlefields where men have fought and died to keep this nation free? When you salute me you are actually saluting them!

Take a look at the memorial rolls some time. Look at the names of those who never came back. Some of them were friends and relatives of yours. That's whom you are saluting, not me!

Well, it won't be long until I'll be coming down your street again. So, when you see me, stand straight, place your hand over your heart and you'll see me waving back-- that's my salute to you. And then I will know you remember who I am...
~Author unknown

"I was born July 4th, 1776, and the Declaration of Independence is my birth certificate. The bloodlines of the world run through my veins for I offer freedom to the oppressed.

I stand for many things and many people. I am Nathan Hale and Paul Revere. I stood at Lexington and fired the shot heard 'round the world. I am presidents Washington and Grant. Admirals John Paul Jones and Chester Nimitz, and Generals Stormin' Norman Schwartzkopf and Colin Powell. When freedom called, I answered and I stayed until it was over.

I left my heroic dead in places like Flanders Field, the Rocks of Coregidor, hills of Korea, jungles of Viet Nam and the sands of Desert Storm. My threads are painted with the blood spilled by the men and women who fought to defend those values I hold sacred. I will never forget the American Sons and Daughters who stood by my side, no matter what the cost.

I was conceived in freedom and, God willing, in freedom may I spend the rest of my days. This is my hope, my dream, my prayer. I have carried my message of hope all across the globe. May I always posses the integrity to remain the beacon of strength and the citadel of freedom to the rest of the world. For I am you. And you are Americans... God bless America!"

~Author Unknown

Contributed by HMC (FMF)Tony Zilar, USN

• Sunrise to sunset.
• At all times if it's illuminated during darkness.
• Should not be displayed during rain, snow and wind storms unless it is an all-weather flag.
• Should be displayed often, but especially on national and state holidays and special occasions.
• Should be displayed on or near the main building of public institutions, schools during school days, and polling places on election days.
• It should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously. When carried in procession with other flags, the U.S. flag should be either on the marching right (the flag's right) or to the front and center of the flag line.
• When displayed on a float in a parade, the flag should be hung from a staff or suspended so it falls free.
• It should not be draped over a vehicle.
• When displayed with another flag against a wall from crossed staffs, the U.S. flag should be on its own right (left to a person facing the wall) and its staff should be in front of the other flag's staff.
• In a group of flags displayed from staffs, the U.S. flag should be at the center and the highest point.
• When flags of states, cities or organizations are flown on the same staff, the U.S. flag must be at the top (except during church services conducted at sea by Navy chaplains).
• When other flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the U.S. flag should be hoisted first and lowered last.
• It must be on the right of other flags and no other flag should stand higher than it.
• Flags of other nations should be flown from separate staffs.
• International custom dictates that flags of different nations be displayed at the same height in peacetime and be approximately the same size.
• If the flag is suspended outdoors from a rope stretched from a building to a pole, the flag should be hoisted out from the building with the union first.
• When the flag is displayed other than from a staff, it should be flat or suspended so that it falls free.
• When displayed against something, such as a wall, the union should be at the top and to the flag's own right, the observer's left - whether displayed horizontally or vertically.
• When displayed over a street or sidewalk, where it can be seen from either side, be sure the union is to the north on an east-west street, and to the east on a north-south street.
• The same directions apply in a building lobby or corridor with entrances to the east and west or north and south.
• When displayed flat against the wall on a speaker's platform, the flag should be above and behind the speaker with the union on the left side as the audience looks at it (again, the flag's right).
• When the flag hangs from a staff in a church or public place, it should appear to the audience on the left, the speaker's right.
• Any other flags displayed should be placed on the opposite side of the speaker.
• The flag may cover a casket, but should not cover a statue or monument for unveiling.
• On a casket, the union (blue field) should be at the deceased person's head and heart, over the left shoulder. But the flag should be removed before the casket is lowered into the grave and should never touch the ground.
• It should never be draped or drawn back in folds.
• Draped red, white and blue bunting should be used for decoration, with the blue at the top and red at the bottom.
• The flag may be flown at half-staff to honor a newly deceased federal or state government official by order of the president or the governor, respectively.
• On Memorial Day, the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon.
• Whenever the flag is displayed at half-staff, it should be first raised to the top.
• Lowering from half-staff is preceded by first raising it momentarily to the top.

Remember never burn a complete flag as it is still "Old Glory". Cut away the field of blue stars then it is no longer our flag. The pieces may then be burned separately for disposal. The Boy Scouts even go so far as to cut away the stipes from one another and burn them separately or one at a time.
Thanks to Boyd Fallwell of the Veterans of America Honor Guard site for this info.