By Helina Bailey

If you attended the Veteran’s Day Celebration at Union County High School this month, you know that the auditorium was full. The walls were lined with faculty and visitors, as the student body filled up most of the seating. Everyone present was eagerly looking towards the stage, giving their full attention to the string of speakers paying homage to our nation’s heroes.
All hands were on deck for this celebration, with the high school’s marching band performing, JROTC Color Guard on flag duty, and JRTOC cadets giving speeches. In addition to the student performers, District 36 Representative, Dennis Powers was in attendance, as well as an active-duty Marine in dress uniform.
When Rep. Dennis Powers approached the podium, you could feel his sincerity and the respect he has for service members. Being from a military family himself and having been signed up for the draft during Vietnam, he expressed his appreciation and our nation’s need for our men and women in uniform. Speaking to the students in the audience, he reminded them of the sacrifice that service members make for our safety and freedom. Before handing off the podium to a Cadet, he left us with these words, “Our priorities should be God, Country, and Family.”
After Rep. Dennis Powers, a few Cadets took to the stage, reciting speeches. As most of us know, public speaking is not easy, but the cadets displayed composure and professionalism while addressing the crowd. It should be noted that these teenagers were addressing a full house, while standing on stage under a bright light. For many, it was a situation out of a nightmare, but the cadets stood tall, withstanding the pressure of a thousand eyes on them.
For me, I found it difficult to hold in my composure, watching from the background as so many youngsters showed their respect for our country, God, and our service members. As a veteran, myself, it made my heart swell to see the younger generation conduct themself in such a manner. Everyone stood for a moment of silence, giving thanks to those who have served, and then bowed their heads to pray for those deployed or in harm's way.
In closing, a JROTC Cadet took the stage and silenced us all with humbling words of “I Am the Flag,” originally titled “My Name is Old Glory” by Howard Schnauber. They can be read below.
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 - I am feared.
I have fought in every battle of every war for more than 200 years.
I was flown at Valley Forge, Gettysburg, Shiloh and Appamatox.
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 KheSan, Saigon, Vietnam know me.
I was there. I led my troops.
I was dirty, battleworn 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 in the streets of my country.
And when it's done 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 born 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 battle field,
when I am flown at halfmast 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.
I am the flag of the United States of America.