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, think about the true 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, 2 states have been added to our country

and 2 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?

God Bless America!

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