The ~New~ Old Glory Poem Reading for Military Retirements

Looking for a modern Old Glory poem?

The traditional "Old Glory" reading has become a beloved part of many Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Army retirement ceremonies. While many retirees choose the classic version, others are looking for something more personal, updated, or unique to reflect their own career and legacy.

If you're hoping to inspire a retirement ceremony while honoring the traditions that came before, this original Old Glory poem was written with that purpose in mind. Feel free to use it as written or adapt it to fit your ceremony!

A New Voice for Old Glory

A Modern Old Glory Poem for a Military Retirement Ceremony

by Morgan Liberatore

I am the flag of the United States of America.
My name is Old Glory.

I fly above the ships that guard the seas.
I stand watch in America's halls of justice.
I fly above military bases, command centers, and distant outposts.
I stand guard beside the greatest military power in the world.

Look up!
And see me.

I stand for freedom.
I stand for honor.
I stand for courage.
I stand for truth.
I stand for justice.

I am confident.
I am steadfast.
I am proud.

When I am flown beside my fellow banners,
My head is a little higher.
My colors a little truer.

I bow to no nation.

I am recognized throughout the world.

I am saluted.
I am respected.
I am loved.
I am defended.

And by those who threaten the freedom I represent,
I am feared.

I have fought every battle of every war for more than 250 years.

I was there at Lexington and Concord.
I was there at Gettysburg, Shiloh, and Appomattox.
I climbed San Juan Hill.
I crossed the trenches of France.
I endured the Argonne Forest.
I was there at Pearl Harbor.
I landed on the beaches of Normandy.
I crossed North Africa.
I moved through the islands of the Pacific.
I was there at Guadalcanal.
Guam.
Peleliu.
Okinawa.
Iwo Jima.

I rose above Mount Suribachi.
I was dirty.
Battle-worn.
Tired.
But the Marines below me cheered.
And I was proud.

I followed America's service members through Korea.
Vietnam.
Beirut.
Grenada.
Panama.
The Persian Gulf.

I stood aboard the USS Cole when terror struck.

I was there on September 11, 2001.
I flew above the smoke.
Ash.
Fear.
And unimaginable loss.

I was raised above Ground Zero.
I covered the fallen.

I reminded a grieving nation that it had been wounded.
But not defeated.

I was there in Afghanistan.
I was there in Iraq.

I crossed the mountains of the Hindu Kush.

I moved through Baghdad.
Fallujah.
Kandahar.
Ramadi.
And countless places remembered only by those who served there.

I flew above crowded flight decks.
I watched over dusty convoys.
I stood beside lonely outposts.
I kept watch through long nights.

I led them.
I followed them.
I watched over them.

They carried me.
They defended me.
They loved me.

I was there when they fought.
I was there when they rescued.
I was there when they healed.
I was there when they brought hope.

I have been soiled.
Burned.
Torn.
And trampled.

In the countries my service members helped set free.

It does not destroy me.
For I am stronger than cloth.

I have been soiled.
Burned.
Torn.
And trampled.

Within my own country.

And when it is by those beside whom I have stood,
It hurts.

But I shall overcome.
For I am strong.

I have slipped the bonds of Earth.
I have stood watch over the frontier of space.
I have rested upon the surface of the moon.

I have witnessed America's greatest triumphs.
I have witnessed her deepest sorrows.

I have flown above joyful homecomings.
I have flown at half-staff for those who did not return.

I have rested in the trembling hands of grieving families.

I have stood witness to careers measured not by years,
But by sacrifice.

I remember the first oath.
The first uniform.
The first salute.
The first deployment.
The long watches.
The missed birthdays.
The hurried goodbyes.
The long-awaited homecomings.

I remember every promotion earned.
Every leader followed.
Every leader who followed.
Every life changed.

My finest hour still comes...

When I am folded with honor.
When I am presented with gratitude.
When I rest in the hands of one who served faithfully beneath me.

Today,
I honor another completed career.

I honor every sacrifice.
Every hardship.
Every victory.
Every quiet act of service.

I am proud.

I am the flag of the United States of America.
My name is Old Glory.

Dear God... Long may I wave.

This poem has been poured into with love; do not replicate without permission.

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"Old Glory" was originally a nickname, not a poem.

The name "Old Glory" was first given to an American flag by Captain William Driver, (1803–1886) a merchant sea captain from Salem, Massachusetts.

On his 21st birthday in 1824, Driver received a 24-star American flag from his mother and friends. As he prepared to sail, he reportedly exclaimed:

"Old Glory!"

That nickname stayed with the flag for the rest of his life.

Until the War of 1812, the American flag was generally considered a utilitarian object and didn’t command the public’s reverence. The profound transformation in how Americans viewed the flag began during the September 1814 Battle of Baltimore and surely had an impact on how Driver experienced this gift in 1824.

image credit: National Park Service

During the Civil War, he hid the original flag.

While sailing the sea, this flag would join him. In 1837 he STILL proudly displayed his 21st birthday gift that traveled the world with him after retirement. The flag was personalized over the years (an anchor in the corner to show his sea service) and had 10 additional stars added, totaling 34.

When Tennessee seceded from the Union, Confederate supporters wanted to destroy Driver's treasured flag. Driver had his daughter secretly sew it inside a comforter to keep it hidden.

When Ulysses S. Grant captured Fort Donelson and occupied Nashville in February 25, 1862, Driver removed the flag from its hiding place and proudly raised it over the Tennessee State Capitol, climbing the dome and hoisting it high for all to see. That moment helped cement "Old Glory" as one of the nation's most beloved nicknames for the American flag. (Smithsonian.com)

Want to learn more about Captain William Driver and his career? See here.

Tennessee State Capitol during the Civil War. Tennessee State Museum collection 2010.198.1

PSSST… The original "Old Glory" still exists.

Many people don't realize the actual flag Captain Driver named "Old Glory" has survived.

Today, “Old Glory” is now in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. Donated in 1922 by the Driver family, the flag had been in the care of his daughter, Mary Jane Driver Roland since her father gave it to her in 1873. To this day, United States flags are called “Old Glory” in tribute to the original and its role as the first U.S. flag to fly over the recaptured Tennessee State Capitol.

Mary Jane Driver Roland and her husband Charley with “Old Glory”. Tennessee State Museum collection 2006.28

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DVC Bradbury Coast Guard Retirement at USCG San Diego

Who actually wrote the poem “Old Glory”?

Very controversial.

Today, most military organizations credit Howard Schnauber, a World War II Marine veteran, as the author of "My Name Is Old Glory." His version has been widely published by veteran organizations, military units, and patriotic groups.

Historical records show that multiple people have claimed authorship, including:

• Don S. Miller, who registered a copyright in 1983

• Ray M. Coach, who registered a copyright in 1988

• Howard Schnauber, who registered a copyright in 1995

The Fort Collins History Connection, which preserves Schnauber's oral history, openly acknowledges these competing claims rather than declaring a definitive author.

Wilt Retirement (Navy) aboard USS Midway San Diego

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My Name is Old Glory

by Howard Schnauber

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 great institutes of learning.
I stand guard with the greatest military 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 truer.
I bow to no one.
I am recognized all over the world.
I am worshipped - I am saluted - I am respected
I am revered - I am loved, and I am feared.
I have fought every battle of every war for more than 200 years:
Gettysburg, Shilo, Appomatox, San Juan Hill, the trenches of France,
the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome, the beaches of Normandy,
the deserts of Africa, the cane fields of the Philippines, the rice paddies
andjungles of Guam, Okinawa, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Guadalcanal
New Britain, Peleliu, and many more islands.
And a score of places long forgotten by all but those who were with me.
I was there.
I led my soldiers - I followed them.
I watched over them.
They loved me.
I was on a small hill in Iwo Jima.
I was dirty, battle-worn and tired, but my soldiers cheered me,
and I was proud.
I have been soiled, 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, burned, torn and trampled on the streets of
my country, and when it is by those
with whom I have served in battle - it hurts.
But I shall overcome - for I am strong.
I have slipped the bonds of Earth and stand watch over the
uncharted new frontiers of space
from my vantage point on the moon.
I have been a silent witness to all of America's finest hours.
But my finest hour comes when I am torn into strips to
be used for bandages for my wounded comrades on the field of battle,
When I fly at half mast to honor my soldiers,
And when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving
mother at the graveside of her fallen son.
I am proud.
My name is Old Glory.
Dear God - Long may I wave.

Mr. Schnauber provided the poem to the Fort Collins Local History Archive as part of his oral history interview, indicated that he had written and copyrighted it, and gave the Fort Collins Local History Archive permission to use it. However, at least two other individuals also claim to have authored it and have copyrighted "My Name is Old Glory" under the following names and registration numbers from the United State Copyright Office: Don Stewart Miller, PAu000540162 / 1983-08-29, and Ray M. Coach, TXu000350470 / 1988-12-19. Howard Schnauber's copyright registration number is at TXu000695891 / 1995-08-28. The City is not able to license others to use the poem. Anyone wishing to use or reprint the poem should seek legal advice on how best to obtain permission for such use.

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Reading of The Olde Glory

Starting off “I am the flag of the United States of America. My name is Old Glory.” (most used version here) The reading of "Old Glory" eloquently portrays the significance of the American flag as a symbol of pride, honor, truth, justice, and freedom.

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How to customize the reading of Old Glory for your retirement

After photographing dozens of military retirements across the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, I've noticed that no two Old Glory presentations are exactly alike. Here are a few meaningful ways I've seen retirees make this tradition their own.

1. Wear the Uniforms That Tell Your Story

   • EPIC Idea I saw recently while photographing Seabee Master Chief Hollister’s retirement. - He had friends and family wear the many Navy Working Uniforms he had worn over 31 years of service.

2. Alter the reading of Old Glory to include your name and rank each time the flag is passed to the next service member.

   • Something I saw at a recent Coast Guard retirement, where DVC Bradbury retired!

3. Choose a Different Version of the Old Glory Reading

   • Many people don't realize there isn't just one version of the Old Glory. Check out “Olde Glory Presentation" Version Two

4. Skip the Flag Passing Ceremony Altogether

   • The flag passing is one of the most recognizable parts of Old Glory, but it isn't required.

     I've photographed retirements where the narrator simply read the Old Glory poem while the retiree and family stood together, allowing the words themselves to become the focus rather than the choreography.

     Sometimes, simpler creates an even more emotional moment.

     BONUS Idea: Perform a 13 Flag Fold Ceremony instead.

     • If you're looking for a different tradition entirely, the 13 Fold Flag Ceremony can be a beautiful alternative or addition.

       Rather than passing the flag between participants, each fold is accompanied by a reading explaining its symbolic meaning before the flag is presented to the retiree or their family.

       For some ceremonies, it fits the tone perfectly.Use this reading or this one from Goatlocker.

13 folds — Navy Retirement Ceremony at Liberty Station, San Diego

If you want photos of your Military Retirement or Promotion, let me know right HERE!

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Coast Guard Retirements

Marine Retirements

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Other resources:

• Navy Goat Locker:

  • So many resources like program planning, other ceremony options like the passing of cutlass, missing man, etc.

  • Other poems, anecdotes, and readings read at retirements like A Navy Husband, A Navy Wife, Military Wives Say I Do, The Wives Watch (one of my favorites!!), Order of the Crystal Heart, Going Ashore, Engineer’s Lament, AND SO MANY MORE!

• Military One Source

• Airforce Retiree Services

• Social Media Groups like THISONE for spouses and over 40k members.

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Navy Retirements

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Sample Old Glory Flag Ceremony Script for Military Retirements

Below is a customizable example of how to structure your own flag passing ceremony using the “Old Glory” reading.

Number of Participants: Choose one for each rank the retiree has held.
Flag Setup: Use a folded American flag to pass between participants.
Reading: Break the “Old Glory” text into sections to be read by each person.

Example Script Format:

1. Junior Service Member:
   “I am the flag of the United States of America. My name is Old Glory…”
   (Passes the flag, salutes)

2. Second Rank (Petty Officer Third Class):
   “I fly atop the world’s tallest buildings…”

3. Third Rank (Petty Officer Second Class):
   “I have been burned, torn, and trampled on…”

4. Fourth Rank (Chief Petty Officer):
   “But I shall overcome because I am strong…”

5. Retiring Member (Master Chief):
   “My name is Old Glory, and I fly free.”
   (Presents the flag to their loved one)

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