The following words were spoken by the late Red Skelton on his television program as he related the story of his teacher Mr. Laswell who felt his students had come to think of the Pledge of Allegiance as merely something to recite in class each day.
Now more than EVER, listen to the meaning of his words, and maybe it will hit you like it did me.
"I've been listening to you boys and girls recite the Pledge of Allegiance all semester and it seems as though it is becoming monotonous to you. If I may, may I recite it and try to explain to you the meaning of each word?
I
me, an individual, a committee of one.
Pledge
dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self-pity.
Allegiance
my love and my devotion.
To the Flag[of the]
our standard, Old Glory, a symbol of freedom. Wherever she waves, there's respect because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts freedom is everybody's job.
United
that means that we have all come together.
States [of America]
individual communities that have united into 48 great states. 48 individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose, all divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose, and that's love for country.
and to the RepublicFor Which It Stands
Republic ... a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people and it's from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people.
One Nation
One Nation ... meaning, so blessed by God.
Indivisible
incapable of being divided.
With Liberty
which is freedom, the right of power to live one's own life, without threats, fear, or some sort of retaliation.
And Justice
the principle or qualities of dealing fairly with others.
For All
For all ... which means, boys and girls, it's as much your country as it is mine.
me, an individual, a committee of one.
Pledge
dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self-pity.
Allegiance
my love and my devotion.
To the Flag[of the]
our standard, Old Glory, a symbol of freedom. Wherever she waves, there's respect because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts freedom is everybody's job.
United
that means that we have all come together.
States [of America]
individual communities that have united into 48 great states. 48 individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose, all divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose, and that's love for country.
and to the RepublicFor Which It Stands
Republic ... a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people and it's from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people.
One Nation
One Nation ... meaning, so blessed by God.
Indivisible
incapable of being divided.
With Liberty
which is freedom, the right of power to live one's own life, without threats, fear, or some sort of retaliation.
And Justice
the principle or qualities of dealing fairly with others.
For All
For all ... which means, boys and girls, it's as much your country as it is mine.
And now boys and girls let me hear you recite,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, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country, and two words have been added to the Pledge of Allegiance - "under God."
Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said, "That is a prayer," and that would be eliminated from schools, too?"
Red Skelton
5 comments:
I watched that and LOVED IT! Good for you for posting it. And it gave me such a great lesson for Forrest!
That was another special post, and such a good reminder of the great nation that God gave to us to care for. Thank you again.
I love our Flag, I love our Country, I love being an American, and I love posts that show other people appreciate it too! :)
I really enjoyed that post Ash! Thanks for posting it! It's crazy that people want to take out "under God."
A few weeks ago I did a similar thing in Scouts with my Webelos (10 year old boys). It even helps ME to break it down and really look at the meaning of the words! Thanks for posting that.
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