(AMERICAN SOLDIERS _and_ SAILORS _march in; a line of_ RED
CROSS MEN _in the van. When all are in places at the rear of
the stage their leader approaches and salutes_ COLUMBIA. _She
hands him the service flag which he passes to a soldier who
holds it at the right of the large American flag. A_ RED CROSS
MAN _holds the flag of the Red Cross at the left_. COLUMBIA
_and the leader of the soldiers stand before the large flag_.)
_LEADER_: THE AMERICAN FLAG:
Stars of the early dawning, set in a field of blue;
Stripes of the sunrise splendor, crimson and white of hue;
Flag of our fathers’ fathers, born on the field of strife,
Phoenix of fiery battle, risen from human life;
Given for God and Freedom, sacred, indeed the trust
Left by the countless thousands returned to the silent dust.
Flag of a mighty nation waving aloft unfurled;
Kissed by the sun of heaven, caressed by the winds of the world.
Greater than kingly power, greater than all mankind;
Conceived in the need of the hour, inspired by the Master Mind;
Over the living children, over the laureled grave,
Streaming on high in the cloudless sky, banner our fathers gave.
Under thy spangled folds thy children await to give
All that they have or are that the flag they love shall live.