In this stirring address, Hicks reflects on the history and symbolism of the American flag, and the sacrifices made by those who have fought under it. He also emphasizes the importance of patriotism and the duty of citizens to uphold the values for which the flag stands. The speech was widely praised for its eloquence and its passionate defense of American ideals. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.