The American Flag--a symbol of courage and pride.

Remarks at the Flag Day ceremony, Andrews Air Force Base, Md., June 14, 2004

Thank you Scott (Brig. Gen. David "Scott" Gray, 89 Airlift Wing Commander) for your generous introduction; and thank you for inviting me to join you, General Severson, General Germann, Team Andrews, our honored veterans, civic leaders and the entire community in honoring our flag on the 227th anniversary of its adoption by the Continental Congress.

I am especially grateful for the opportunity to begin my week here with you. There is nothing more delightful for me than to be with the great men and women here today--those serving in uniform; those who serve in the community; and those who have served in uniform before, following this flag in previous conflicts.

This is a special day--the anniversary of the adoption of a very powerful symbol. Other important events share this anniversary date as well:

On June 14, 1775--two years before this nation had a flag--the Continental Congress authorized the creation of an Army. To all my friends who are--or have been--members of the world's greatest Army, I wish you a happy 229th Birthday!

Unfortunately, there have also been tragic events that occurred on this date. On June 14, 1940, Nazi forces occupied Paris. For four years, those citizens of France who cherished their lost freedom resisted their oppressors. The troops who marched into a liberated Paris on Aug. 25, 1944, carried many flags--the most prominent was the flag of the United States of America.

Flag Day also marks the anniversary of the beginning of the strategic bombing campaign in the Pacific Theater during World War II. On this date in 1944, Airmen flew 60 B-29s from China on a mission against an iron and steel factory on the Japanese home island of Honshu. More missions followed, and the tempo of strategic bombing increased. The effects of airpower in the Pacific Theater were enormous; they led to the regime's capitulation and obviated the need for an invasion which would have been horribly bloody.

While this day is a celebration, it also is a somber anniversary for the family and friends of an American serviceman who was an early hero in our fight against terrorism. On June 14, 1985, terrorists hijacked TWA Flight 847 while enroute from Athens to Rome. After forcing the aircraft to land in Beirut, the hijackers tortured, and then murdered, U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Robert Stethem, a passenger on the plane. He was singled out because he was an American.

Today, Petty Officer Stethem lies in honor not far from here, at Arlington National Cemetery. After the burial, his brother Kenneth said:

"Every time I look at the flag now and for the rest of my life, the red will represent the blood he spilled, the blue the beating and bruises he endured, and the white the purity and integrity he demonstrated in sacrificing his life."

Each of these events is tied together by one powerful symbol, the American Flag. The flag was carried by the Continental Army; it led the Armies which preserved the American Union; it was present as Americans came ashore to liberate Europe--some of you were there; it was sewn on the uniforms of our Airmen in those B-17s in Europe and B-29s in the Pacific; and it covered the casket of Petty Officer Stethem, as it has for many of our heroes. Our flag was there at all these events. It has a potent, unifying effect. It is worn on the battle dress of every American soldier; it flies from every commissioned ship of the line; and it typically is attached to our flight suits. It reminds us of our common purpose.

There is a lesser-known story that illustrates the power of our flag. In the 19th Century, there was a man named William Carney who was a 23-year-old from Bedford, Mass. He wanted to become a minister. However, this was a time of war--the Civil War--and like many he felt compelled to answer his country's call. He became a sergeant in Company C of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry. On July 18, 1863, the 54th prepared to attack the

Confederate garrison at Fort Wagner, S.C. Six U.S. Navy ships bombarded the fort, while the 54th and other regiments waited on the beach for the order to attack. When that order was given, Sergeant Carney charged with his regiment.

One of Carney's comrades, Sergeant John Wall, was carrying the flag when he was cut down in the hail of fire. William Carney dropped his weapon and caught the flag before it hit the ground. Heedless of the danger, he rallied the 600 men of the 54th in their resolute advance. Sergeant Carney never faltered, despite wounds to his head, both legs, and hip. He later told his comrades, "Boys, I only did my duty. This flag never touched the ground."

Carney was awarded the Medal of Honor for his courageous action. He was a great American Patriot--and the first African-American recipient of our nation's highest award.

Our flag is all around us today at Andrews, uniting us as Airmen and as Americans.

* It is carried on the aircraft of the 89th Airlift Wing, the 459th Air Refueling Wing, the 113th Wing, Marine Air Group 49, and aboard the Naval Air Facility

* It flies on the flight line, in the back shops, and at Malcolm Grow (Medical Center)

* It decorates the distinguished veterans present today;

* And it accompanies Andrews Airmen as they deploy around the world--never as a sign of conquest, but always as a symbol of hope.

It flies over our bases, posts, and embassies around the world. It is present at every military ceremony you attend, from the day you first swear an oath of service until the day you retire. It is found in front of our homes, our businesses, our offices and our schools. It defines us as Americans, and is the single most powerful symbol of freedom around the globe.

This flag represents our nation and the values to which we aspire:

* Imagine the feeling of pride our forefathers felt when they saw the flag at Yorktown

* You know the impact it had on Francis Scott Key at Fort McHenry--our national anthem is a tribute to this flag. His poem, written aboard a British ship in Baltimore Harbor, can still be found in the collection of the Maryland Historical Society.

* The sight of it caused Israeli helicopter pilots to halt the attack on the USS Liberty

* It has been carried in space with great pride by our astronauts

* But perhaps one of the best examples of the power of this emblem was its effect on Marines when it was raised on Mount Suribachi. The impact was so strong on all Americans that the image has been enshrined at the Iwo Jima Memorial and is synonymous with American courage under fire.

Our flag is also a source of comfort and strength. After the cowardly attacks in September 2001, American flags were ubiquitous. Americans saw our flag as an expression of our strength, pride, and resolve to protect and defend freedom. This is the message we sent when we unfurled the flag over the battle damage at the Pentagon. It's the message conveyed by the image of three firefighters raising the flag over the remains of the World Trade Center.

It's a message we took directly to our enemies. A New York City Police sergeant named Karl Hagstrom, who also happened to be a Naval Reservist, salvaged the flag that flew over the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Hagstrom sent the flag to the aircraft carrier USS Stennis, which carried this banner to its duty station in the Indian Ocean during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

In a few moments, we will show our devotion for our flag by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. We will say words that we have said hundreds of times before; but ladies and gentlemen, on this Flag Day I'd like you to reflect again on the meaning of these words.

As you recite the Pledge, visualize the Soldiers of the Continental Army and their audacity in the face of overwhelming odds; Sergeant Carney's blood-covered hands grasping the banner to which he was devoted; the flags sewn to the uniforms of Americans storming ashore at Normandy or flying over Japan; the flag that covers the caskets of our fallen comrades in arms; and the flag that flies--proud and resolute--on American bases around the world, including Afghanistan and Iraq.

Thank you, and thank you for your dedication to our nation and to all our flag represents.