All this pride and ceremony for a song and a flag. 

But we have forgotten. 

Forgotten that the flag itself is not worthy of such devotion, 

for the flag is just painted cloth. 

But what the flag represents - a county, a republic

but not just a republic, 

for a republic is not the land within its borders - a republic has been and always should be the people. The flag represents me and like it or not the flag also represents you. It represents us to all the other nations of the earth. 

What comes to mind when others see the flag is determined by the collective actions of all citizens, but not all at once,

there is no collective without the individuals. 

And so each individual must first make of themselves that which they wish to see in the collective. 

And so we should rightfully honor the flag and have ceremony and songs as a way to honor each other. Patriotism is not the flag or the country, patriotism is me showing honor and respect to you. 

So I will always stand, 

hand over heart, 

and give honor to the flag and my country and the citizens of its republic, 

indivisible under, 

and only under, 

and through the grace of God.