I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, and liberty and justice for all.

Have we lost sight of the importance of saying our Pledge of Allegiance? I believe so. 

For 32 years as a high school teacher every morning we would say the pledge and as the years went by students groaned, mocked, or refused to say it.   I contribute that to a poor education system—but that is a whole other conversation…)  So each new trimester of classes I would share how my family had served this country with pride, honor, and personal loss since the Revolutionary War, and I asked the students to at least stand quietly out of respect for me and those who have served, and they did (of course, hoping they would say it as well).

Years ago, my family would watch the Red Skelton Comedy Hour. 

He was silly and fun to watch, but he was also a true patriot and would end his show with heart-felt commentary. The link below is his wonderful definition of the United States Pledge of Allegiance—

PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK AND BE INSPIRIED.  A copy of the video transcript is below too.

Video link (worth watching)  Red Skelton’s Pledge of Allegiance

Transcript of Red Skelton – The Pledge of Allegiance

From the Red Skelton Hour, January 14, 1969

 “Getting back to school, I remember a teacher that I had. Now I only went through the seventh grade. I left home when I was 10 years old because I was hungry. (laughter)  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 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.  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 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:  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:  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?”

Here are a few Bible verses to reflect on concerning honor:

Deuteronomy 5:16 (ESV)

“‘Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

Romans 2:10 (NIV)

but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

I Peter 2:17 (NLT)

Respect everyone, and love the family of believers. Fear God, and respect the king.

Revelation 7:12 (NIV)

saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!”