UNIFORM ADVISORY
Gail Key, Division Uniform/Flag Advisor
OPERATIONAL
DRESS UNIFORM (ODU) AVAILABILITY -- The Coast
Guard-wide ODU roll-out is now complete in that ODU orders by Coast Guard Auxiliarist
are being accepted and processed by the Coast Guard Uniform Distribution Center
(UDC). The phone number for placing uniform orders is
1-800-874-6841. The website is http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-w/g-wp/udc/index.htm.
Auxiliarists are strongly encouraged to use the ODU sizing guide (available on
the UDC web site under "ODU Uniform") because the ODU outfit is quite
different from the working blue uniform. Additionally, working blue
uniform items are still available through UDC at significantly reduced costs and
they are authorized for Auxiliary wear until no longer serviceable.
[Posted: 13 January 2005. Source: Steve Minutolo, G-OCX-1]
The following article was supplied by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
OLD GLORY
The name “Old Glory” was first applied to the United States flag by a young sea captain who lived in Salem, Massachusetts. On his 21st birthday, March 17, 1824, Captain William Driver was presented a beautiful flag by his mother and a group of Salem girls. Driver was delighted with the gift and named the flag “Old Glory.”
Old Glory accompanied the captain on his many sea voyages. In 1837 he quit sailing and settled in Nashville, Tennessee. 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, sewing it inside a comforter. When the Union soldiers entered Nashville on February 25, 1862, Driver removed Old Glory from its hiding place. He carried the flag to the capitol building and raised it above the state capitol.
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’s 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. It was sent to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C., where it is carefully preserved under glass.
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 bit 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 – and 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 Appomattox.
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, Iraq and Afghanistan; know me.
I am there.
I lead my troops, I was dirty, battle worn 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 on the streets of my country, and when it is 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 borne 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 battlefield, when I am flown at half-mast 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.
DEAR GOD IN HEAVEN,
LONG MAY I WAVE THAT I MAY FLY PROUDLY FOR
ANOTHER TWO HUNDRED YEARS.
