I know the late comedian Red Skelton's story explaining the meaning of our nation's Pledge of Allegiance has been widely distributed over the internet time and time again. Nevertheless it is such a great example of patriotism and what it means to be an American, that I consider it well-worth repeating again.
From the Red Skelton Hour, January 14, 1969
"Getting back to school, I remember a teacher that I had. Now I only went, I went through the seventh grade. I left home when I was 10 years old because I was hungry. And .. this is true. I worked in the summer and went to school in the winter. But, I had this one teacher, he was the principal of the Harrison school, in Vincennes, Indiana. To me, this was the greatest teacher, a real sage of..of my time, anyhow.
He had such wisdom. We were all reciting the Pledge of Allegiance one day, and he walked over. This little old teacher ... 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 [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 Republic For 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."
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
EDITOR'S NOTE: Our Pledge of Allegiance is very dear to my heart. This country has been very good to my family ever since we came here in 1936 as refugees from Nazi Germany. I eagerly and proudly enlisted in the U.S. Army on my 17th birthday. The GI Bill paid for most of my college education. It bothers me that Americans take their citizenship for granted and do not really appreciate what sets this country apart from most other countries in the world.
This reminds me of an occasion that I found absolutely disgusting. The college at which I taught Criminal Justice courses is located midway between Houston and Galveston, Texas. For many years, the college was controlled by a group of labor union-backed openly-avowed Marxist faculty members. That is why I call it COLLEGE OF THE MARXISTS.
I think it was in January of 1991, during the first Gulf War, that we had a scheduled general faculty and staff meeting. Before the meeting started, I approached Larry Stanley, the college's puppet (of the Marxists) president and asked him to lead the faculty in our Pledge of Allegiance. When he refused to do so, I asked him if I could do it. He answered with a resounding "No." When I asked him why not, Stanley became angry and told me: "Because this is neither the time nor the place for that." (I later learned that he refused both requests because he knew the Marxists would storm out of the auditorium had anyone started to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.)
Neither the time nor the place? I beg your pardon! You can take this to the bank - ANY TIME AND ANY PLACE IS ALWAYS APPROPRIATE FOR US TO PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO OUR GREAT DEMOCRACY! Those who refuse to do so are, in effect, renouncing their citizenship and, in effect, declaring they are not loyal to the United States of America. Those who refuse to pledge their loyalty to this country should pack up and leave forthwith!!
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