| Spirit of a Nation |   |  
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				I proudly wave across the land, stately emblem in the 
				breeze A patriotic declaration of a nation's liberty 
				 White purity and innocence Red hardiness and valor 
				Blue vigilance and justice are preserved within my colors 
				 Over hallowed halls of knowledge, of government, of law 
				I stand watch over principles to earn my nation's awe
  
				And like the stars so proudly worn upon my breast of blue 
				I transcend the bonds of earth to stand majestic on the moon 
				 Dauntless onto battlefields I lead my country's brave 
				And with solemn dignity escort the fallen to their graves 
				 I serve as dressing for the wounds of injured men and 
				towers Bestowing hope and solace in my nation's darkest 
				hours
  When my loyal, revered servants' last heartbeats 
				come to pass I join my mourning nation, flying somberly 
				half mast
  Flames of hatred and dissension may reduce 
				my cloth to ash Yet with the smoke my liberty still rises 
				unabashed
  My strength lies not in stars or stripes, in 
				fabric nor in thread But in the hearts of citizens who 
				hold my values sacred
  For those who would destroy 
				America's noble decoration Will come to find they can't 
				destroy the Spirit of a nation |  By Deborah Whipp Copyright 20011 
					Listed August 12, 2011 |  
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