Beautifying The Flag

To us the Flag has little meant. Each glorious stripe of red Was woven there to represent The blood of heroes dead. On some dim, distant battle line By other men were gained The glories that have made it fine, And idle we've remained. But now the Flag shall finer grow And ages yet to be Shall find the courage that we show To-day for liberty. Of other men the Flag has told; It flies for others' deeds; Its pride is born of heroes bold Who served its by-gone needs. But now our blood shall mingle there With blood of patriots dead, And through the years each stripe shall wear A deeper, truer red. The splendor of the flag shall gleam In every radiant star, And finer shall the banner seem Because of what we are. To-day new glory for the Flag We give our best to build; Of us shall future ages brag, By us their blood be thrilled; And as to us the flag has meant The greatness of the past, The Stars and Stripes shall represent Our courage to the last. The children in the years to be Our trials shall discuss, And cheer the emblem of the free, In part, because of us.