RED SKELTON AND THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Happy Independence Day to all Americans!  I hope you are celebrating today with family and friends the freedom that all of us can experience and enjoy because of so many who have worked and fought for it.

Several years ago I became aware of a presentation by the late comedian, Red Skeleton, about the Pledge of Allegiance as its meaning was explained to him by a classroom teacher by the name of Mr. Lasswell.  I was so impressed by his words that I began sharing it with some of my classes.  It was especially meaningful to them and me following September 11 when it was “cool” to be patriotic;  I am ashamed that I have not continued to share it  each year since because I believe that it contains a very important message for all of us. My students recite the Pledge each morning at my school, and I know that they do not fully appreciate the words they are saying.  It should be a burden on my heart to help them understand those words.

The quality of the video is not the best, so I have chosen to include the text of his dialogue as well. 

RED SKELTON: "I remember this one teacher. To me, he was the greatest teacher, a real sage of my time. He had such wisdom. We were all reciting the Pledge Of Allegiance and he walked over. 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

Our standard; Old Glory ; a symbol of Freedom; wherever she waves there is respect, because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts, Freedom is everybody's job.

of the United

That means that we have all come together.

States (of America)

Individual communities that have united into forty-eight 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 is love for country.

And to the Republic

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

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?"