Professional Educators of Tennessee

 

 

The following words were spoken in 1969 by the late Richard "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.

To hear Red Skelton
click on his picture

"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.

***~~**~~***

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?


In Honor of our Great Nation and
the Memory of Red Skelton
July 18, 1913 - September 17, 1997