Pledge of Allegiance, what every word means, great story

[lisacsco]

On January 14, 1969, Red Skelton touched the hearts of millions of Americans with his "Pledge Of Allegiance", in which he explained the meaning of each and every word. Red Skelton's recitation of the "Pledge of Allegiance" was twice read into the Congressional Record of the United States and received numerous awards.

RED SKELTON: "I remember this one teacher. To me, he was the greatest teacher, a real sage of my time. He had such wisdom. We were all reciting the Pledge Of Allegiance and he walked over. Mr. Lasswell was his name... He said": "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

Our standard; Old Glory ; a symbol of Freedom; wherever she waves there is respect, because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts, Freedom is everybody's job.

of the United

That means that we have all come together.

States

Individual communities that have united into forty-eight great states. Forty-eight individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose. All divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose, and that is love for country.

And to the Republic

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.

For which it stands

One Nation

One Nation -- meaning, so blessed by God.

Indivisible

Incapable of being divided.



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 quality, 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.

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?"



the link if you want to watch it.

 

[wild boar trapper]

This is an old but great story. I've enjoyed it even though I do not and will never say the pledge. I do not believe in a god and will not directly nor indirectly say a pledge involving one. That does not mean that I am not patriotic nor that I don't support our country.

As to it being a prayer ... it was. Originally, it was written as a prayer, published, and subsequently adopted as the pledge, and revised twice.

Red made an outstanding presentation of the pledge that stands the test of time nearly 40 years later.

 

[ultramag]

Nice post, especially for Independence Day. Although I consider myself very American and need no hyphen anywhere in the title I did not realize how much the "Pledge" has morphed over time. I didn't realize the words "under God" weren't originally included.

It makes no difference on my stand nor beliefs and opinions associated with The Pledge of Allegiance, however I thought some others may enjoy the knowledge and maybe learn something as well. Here is a link to the site the above two posts and the absence of "under God" sent me fuming off to.

http://history.vineyard.net/pledge.htm

 

[wild boar trapper]

Ultramag -- it was not my intent to offend anyone. Quite the contrary. What I wanted to convey was even for those who don't support the pledge ... the Red Skelton presentation can be outstanding. I have enjoyed it every time I have read it. If I were a better wordsmith my post may have communicated that.

 

[hillbillysmoker]

I never tire of hearing this. Thanks for the memory.

 

[ajthepoolman]

Wild Boar Trapper, I disagree with your stance on the issue. But I would stand shoulder to shoulder with you to defend our freedoms to disagree.

 

[dgross]

Thanks to all of you who have defended and argued with the configuration of this Important document

. Was it not our forefathers who gave their commitment and lives so we can have such a wonderful site like this

! There aren't many that can express the eloquent depth that true patiots feel for this Great Nation but he did what we all should, he did his best. God bless everyone and hope you had a Great 4th of July. ( PS Thank a Vet

). Enjoy your smoke, Daun

 

[gypsyseagod]

those of us that served. upon induction(or abduction to our drafted vets) we all agreed to defend the constitution.funny how that is the most important article in our country's history & so many of americans have no clue what it states & how quickly it gets overridden & put aside. i know i'm a proud (born & raised) texas native but i have to refer to the pledges made @ the alamo-never surrender & bring it on(gonzales was actually a better challenge to an agressor - "come & take it".)you can take or leave god or the declaration,but i guarantee you will never ever take an american's freedom. only we ourselves can give it away.

 

[dgross]

My husband, a Volunteer in `72, commented that he'd sworn an oath to defend the Constitution against all aggressors, foreign or domestic and firmly beleives there was no expiration date to that oath. The tag line on the end of his e-mail is:
United States Constitution (c)1788, All Rights Reserved
Don't want to offend anyone, but since my family has been here since before Savanna, Ga. became a prison colony for England, we are a little concerned about our National future.

Enjoy your smoke!
Daun

 

[gypsyseagod]

he'd sworn an oath to defend the Constitution against all aggressors, foreign or domestic and firmly beleives there was no expiration date. DAMN SKIPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thats what i said. our first american ancestor(documented by lloyd's of london)refused (they raped his wife while he hid in a log outside of surrey england)stole a ship & ran aground off nag's head,nc.when they pressed everyone into the english navy. so we're wetbacks- literally(no offense to anyone)in 1730's. he confiscated-"pirated" english merchants off the coast of the carolinas in the 1740-1750's and used those ships in the rev war. we been here a while too.

 

[m.m.]

recite this great oratory.

I prefer including the words under God; but I guess its just personal preference.

I prefer to smoke here rather than in the hereafter.