DEAR ABBY: Years ago, when our daughter, Stacy, was in the eighth grade, a contest was held at her school to see if they could win one of the flags that had flown over the U.S. Capitol.

Our daughter, who is now grown, won the prize for the best poem. We thought you might like to print it on Flag Day for your readers to enjoy. We think its message is one that is worthwhile. – STACY’S PROUD PARENTS IN NEW YORK

DEAR PROUD PARENTS: I agree with you. It is not only worthwhile, I found it touching. Readers, this poem was read into the Congressional Record during the second session of the 89th Congress. Read on:

THE FLAG

(By Stacy Frank, Grade 8)

This flag of red and white and blue

May not mean very much to you.

But as for me this banner flies

And with its mighty voice it cries

Out to peoples far and near

To proclaim our freedom here.

A small beginning, I agree,

But like the acorn to the tree.

Thirteen states we had at first,

But as our country grew, our thirst

For land and freedom did not stop.

That land did well; produced a crop

For countries of the world to share

And then they knew our flag was fair.

And underneath this starry wing

Foreign peoples help to sing

The greatest story ever told,

The story of our country bold.

Of its birth into the world

And of its wondrous flag unfurled.

And over the world there ne’er will stand

The flag of any other land

That will mean as much to me

As this flag of liberty.

DEAR ABBY: I am 19, and I’m wondering if you could give me some information. When I was in high school, one of my teachers told us about a little program where we could write to soldiers – you know, a comforting letter to let them know there are people out here who support them.

I have moved several times since then and no longer have the address. Today I mentioned it to my grandmother, and she remembered that she had recently seen in your column a Web site to write to our servicemen. Do you still have that Web site available? If so, would you please let me have it? I’d very much appreciate it. – A FRIEND IN NEED, LAKE HAVASU CITY, ARIZ.

DEAR FRIEND IN NEED: I certainly do have it. The Web site your grandmother referred to is OperationDearAbby.net – and it has been up and running since 2001. If you go there and click on “Send a message,” you can send as many messages of support to as many branches of the armed forces as you wish. They will be read by military service members around the globe.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Write Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.


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