The Pledge of Allegiance

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

The Star Spangled Banner 
By Francis Scott Key

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?

Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?

And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.

Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep, Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes, What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep, As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?

Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam, In full glory reflected now shines in the stream: Tis the star-spangled banner!  Oh long may it wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.

No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave: And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation! Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto:  "In God is our trust." And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

To all who come to our shores and the enemy who dwell among us - that kill the innocent and take to the courts to rid America of God - Remember - Our strengh is in God's hands.You are not in control! The mighty in Him will rise up against you... from sea to shinning sea. 

To all whose aim it is to change America - 
Remember the grave stones with the Star of David, the Christian Cross, and the Crescent Moon, that gave you the right to even put your minority thoughts over the majority.

One Nation Under God

Guidelines for Displaying the Flag 

1.  The flag of the United States should be flown daily from sunrise to  sunset in good weather, from public buildings, schools, permanent staffs, and in or near polling places on election days.  The flag may be displayed 24 hours a day on patriotic holidays or if properly illuminated.

 2.  The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is bad, except when an all-weather flag is used.

 3.  The flag should always be flown on national and state holidays and on those occasions proclaimed by the President.  On Memorial Day, the flag should be half staffed until noon.

4.  The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.  It should never be dipped to any person nor should it ever be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress.

5.  The flag should never touch anything beneath it, nor should it ever be carried flat or horizontally.

6.  It should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, drapery, or decoration, nor for carrying or holding anything.

7.  The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged.  It should never be used as a covering for a ceiling.

 8.  The flag should not be draped over the hood, top, sides, or back of a vehicle.  When a flag is displayed on a car, the flag's staff should be fixed firmly to the chassis or clamped to the right fender.

9.  The flag or its staff should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever.  Nor should any picture, drawing, insignia or other decoration be placed on or attached to the flag, its staff, or halyard.

10. The flag should not be embroidered on cushions, handkerchiefs, or other personal items nor printed on anything designed for temporary use and discarded.  However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, or members of other patriotic organizations.

11. When the flag is so worn or soiled that it is no longer suitable for display, it should be destroyed in a dignified manner,  preferably by burning.

Independence Day, in the United States, an annual holiday commemorating the formal adoption by the Continental Congress of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia. 

Although the signing of the Declaration was not completed until August, the Fourth of July holiday has been accepted as the official anniversary of U.S. independence and is celebrated in all states and territories of the United States.

The holiday was first observed in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776, at which time the Declaration of Independence was read aloud, city bells rang, and bands played. It was not declared a legal holiday, however, until 1941. 

The Fourth is traditionally celebrated publicly with parades and pageants, patriotic speeches, and organized firing of guns and cannons and displays of fireworks; early in the 20th century public concern for a “safe and sane” holiday resulted in restrictions on general use of fireworks. Family picnics and outings are a feature of private Fourth of July celebrations.