Dear Editor:

I wrote this poem “The Proud” several years ago. I would like to share it with your readers for all the service men and women and their families. They are not forgotten.

To see Ole Glory as she is raised up on the morning sun

Another battle she was won

Her stripes may they ever flow

Of Her ever unity the world to show.

She has flown over many young women and men

Some may be your next of kin

For our troops who with courage fought

For the freedom of our neighbors sought

As she flies across the blue sky

If any one is proud it is I

America the beautiful and the grand.

I salute our troops as they stand

They served our country well and true.

To defend their freedom, mine and yours too.

Linda Ferguson McElyea

Hartselle