THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

as reviewed by Red Skelton
on "The Red Skelton Hour", January 14, 1969
Updated and modified by John T. Yantis
February 11, 1993
I have been listening to you boys recite the pledge of allegiance for some time now, and it seems as though it's becoming monotonous to you. If I may, let me 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  allegiance My love, and my devotion.
 to the flag  to the flag Our standard, Old Glory. A symbol of freedom. Wherever she waves, there's respect, because your loyalty has given her dignity that shouts, "Freedom is everybody's job."
 of the United  of the United That means that we have all come together.
 States  States Individual communities that have united into 50 great states. Fifty individual communities with pride, dignity, and purpose. All divided by imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose, and that's love for country.
 of America  of America, That wilderness continent which was tamed by our courageous forefathers, yet which remains to be protected for our children's children's children.
 and to the Republic  and to the Republic A state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. That government is the people, and it's from the people to the eaders, not from the leaders to the people.
 for which it stands  for which it stands; Our flag is the symbol of that Republic.
 one nation  one nation An entity which is more than the sum of its 50 member states.
 under God,  under God, Supreme Being, the source of all power, life, light, truth, justice, and love.
 indivisble,  indivisible, Incapable of being divided.
 with liberty  with liberty Freedom. The right or power to live one's own life without threat or fear of some sort of retaliation
 and justice  and justice The principle or quality of dealing fairly with others.
 for all.  for all. Everybody. Each and every citizen of this country is entitled to liberty and justice. Which means that it is just as much your country as it is mine.

Now would you join me in pledging allegiance to our flag? As you say the words, think of the meaning and importance of every one of them. And remember the hundreds of thousands of brave men and women who have died over the last two hundred years, just so you could hold your heads up high and say these words.

Hit Counter