Editor's Note: Mr. Gould, a retired U.S. Navy captain who lives in Fairhope, wrote this poem for the Fourth of July.

I have survived quite a lot of hype

Since Betsy Ross designed my prototype,

Some has been false, some has been true;

I’ve selected some pertinent facts for you.

I was with Paul Revere at the end of his ride;

The first man on the moon had me at his side.

I was with the lads at Bunker Hill,

Aboard Old Ironsides I’m flying still.

I went with George across the Delaware,

Inspired Francis Scott Key in the rockets’ red glare.

Abe Lincoln flew me from a Gettysburg steeple

And ever since then I’ve been liberating people.

I stormed ashore with Marines at Guadalcanal,

Climbed Mount Suribachi with a G.I. pal.

I rode with Patton ‘til we reached the Rhine

And only stopped when the Allies drew the line.

I’ve seen our enemies brought to their knees

Including the Germans and the Japanese.

I watched Ronald Reagan as he stood tall

And said, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”

I’ve sailed the seven seas with the boys in Navy blue,

Made the journey to the North and the South Poles, too.

I’ve basked in the sun on many a Tropic Isle;

I’ve marched city streets in grandiose style.

Today you can find me in the Middle East

Helping to suppress the Terrorist Beast

That hates and despises our way of life

And continually causes much worldly strife.

Now that you’ve heard my story true

I have a request to make of you:

Promise that I shall evermore wave

Over the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.

I am Old Glory, the Stars and Stripes — forever!