Upton
Our Beautiful Flag
My Pledge to the Flag
By Bill Upton
I am a citizen of the United States of America. In 1963, I left my home and family behind and served in the U.S. Army for five years. I spent a year near the DMZ in Korea and a year in Vietnam during the War. I was honorably discharged from the Army as a Sergeant E-5 (P). My DD-214 shows I earned six medals and several badges and certificates while on active duty. I love my Country, my Flag and am proud of my service. I believe those verifiable facts makes me a true patriot in every sense of the word.
The U.S. Congress gave birth to “Old Glory” on June 14, 1777. Congress deemed that the “white on the Flag signified Innocence and Purity; the red was for Hardiness and Valor and the blue stood for Vigilance, Perseverance and Justice.” Here’s what the Pledge of Allegiance means to me.
I pledge allegiance to the Flag. . .
I promise, without doubt or hesitation my loyalty and devotion to the American Flag. I will always stand and salute it when the National Anthem is played or when I raise it or lower it to half-mast or when otherwise appropriate. I will never allow the Flag to touch the ground, nor will I use it or its pattern as clothing, a weapon, burn it in protest or otherwise disrespect it. When it gets tattered or faded, I will replace it with a new one and with sadness and regret see the “tired” banner retired with dignity.
of the United States of America . . .
United States means just that – united, not separate, not disjointed, not red states and blue states, not North versus South or East versus West but united as one nation.
and to the Republic for which it stands. . .
The Flag stands for freedom, equality, a government of the people, by the people and for the people. It will not stand in honor of an autocratic, dictatorial form of government where one person usurps the will of all Americans in order to rule as a tyrant.
one nation, under God. . .
America is a nation of many faiths and to ask your God to protect our country is a right we must protect.
Indivisible. . .
Unable to be divided, cannot be broken, torn apart or rendered into parts.
With liberty and justice for all. . .
Liberty, being free from the oppressions and restrictions imposed by any local, state or federal authority on one's way of life, behavior, or political views. Free to be who you are as long as you do no harm to others. Justice, being treated fairly and peacefully with dignity and respect no matter one’s race, religion, sex, sexual identity, social level or national origin.
“It is not extravagant to say that to all lovers of the Country it (the Flag) signifies government resting on the consent of the governed; liberty regulated by law; the protection of the weak against the strong; security against the exercise of arbitrary power; and absolute safety for free institutions against foreign aggression.”
Supreme Court Justice John Marshall Harlan - March 4, 1907
Finally, I remember back 56 years ago, while in Vietnam, always looking to the American Flag upon returning to base after a mission. It gave me feelings of comfort and security. I am forever grateful.
A Couple of Poems
A TALE TO TELL
by Bill Upton
We flew all over that war torn land
From Khe Sanh to Can Tho
We hauled in some of the damndest things
To places no one should go.
We dropped cows and pigs at Dak To
To feed our forces there
We carried bayonets, bullets and mortar rounds
To damn near everywhere.
We shuttled shave-tails to their first commands
Fresh out of OCS
We carried grunts to their last LZ’s
Where they all gave their best.
We ferried movie stars to far outposts
To entertain the troops
We brought “Donut Dollies” in sometimes
To give morale a boost.
We carried spit-shined, hard-nosed officers
And apron strung recruits
We carried booze and C’s and cigarettes
And ton’s of jungle boots.
We flew into the shortest strips
A man’s mind could conceive
And dropped our precious cargo
Before we took our leave.
We flew the Otter, Caribou and P2V
Back in the days of old
And in what we call the “Logbook”
Our stories they unfold.
Well, my friends, it’s time to write
So sit down for a spell
Get out your pen and paper
You’ve got a tale to tell.
A Caribou Crew Chief’s Lament
by Bill Upton
I’ve been to southern Viet-Nam
Drank Bam-bi-ba, ate C-Rat ham
Flew to Quang Tri and back
In half-a-day.
I’ve hauled parts to Hue Phu-Bi
Gave some do-nut dolls the eye
And replaced a bum magneto
On the way.
On troop seats I took my rest
Been chewed out by the best
And flew that old green ‘Bou
A lot myself.
From Go Cong to Dong-Ba-Thin
Thru ground fire we flew in
Dropped off ammo/jungle boots
Before we left.
Picked up body bags galore
Laid ‘em neatly on the floor
But there wasn’t any time to
Cry or fret.
Would I do it o’er again”
Would I go and risk my skin?
In a tinker’s minute
That’s my bet.
Sign me up for one more tour
In the Caribou Flyin’ Corps
And write this on my tombstone
If you please. . .
“He may not have been the best,
But he passed the friggin’ test
When the Caribou Flyin’ Corps
Went overseas.”