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 these
words.
"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'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.....individual communities that have united
into 48 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's love for country.
And to the 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.
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 quality of dealing
fairly with others.
For all.....which means, boys and girls, it's as
much your country as it is mine.
***~~**~~***
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
http://www.redskelton.com/
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