Bob Nelson

Bob Nelson is a veteran of more than 50 years in broadcasting, and the creative force behind the legendary feature, “I Am Your Flag.”

His career began in 1947 as a runner and copy boy for The Blue Network (later ABC) in New York.

During his college days at Syracuse University he established himself as a free-lance actor, writer and announcer and upon graduation joined the staff of the local NBC outlet where, for eight years, he wrote commercial copy and aired a radio news program. He also appeared on the city’s first TV news program.

In 1959 he joined Westinghouse Broadcasting in Boston (WBZ) as a newswriter and host of the popular news magazine “Program PM,” for which he wrote and aired the international award-winning documentary “Anne Frank: The Memory & The Meaning.”

Following service at the Westinghouse Washington, DC news bureau — from which he aired a nightly news program carried by a number of stations — and a brief stint at WTIC in Hartford as an afternoon disc jockey, he joined the newly-formed all-news operation at KYW in Philadelphia in 1967.

In addition to duties as a news anchor, he became the station’s arts & entertainment editor, which included service as the station’s film and theater critic.

It was in 1975 that Nelson wrote the inspirational piece “I Am Your Flag,” which has been published and aired throughout the country. The popular narrative has undergone three revisions to accommodate changing events, including the September 11th tragedies. KYW presents “I Am Your Flag” on air and on its web site every year, and continues to draw many listener requests for printed copies.

Nelson retired from full-time duties at KYW in 1991 but still serves as the station’s arts reporter and critic on a part-time basis. You can hear his film, theater, and video reviews every week on KYW Newsradio. Bob lives in center city Philadelphia.