2020-16 Red Skelton - Pledge of Allegiance
When I was in elementary school I can remember reciting the Pledge of Allegiance every morning. The small American Flag was usually posted on the wall up by the clock in the school room. Some teachers would even give us students the opportunity to lead the Pledge through a rotation during the month. I can still recall how proud I was on den meeting days when I would wear my Cub Scout uniform to school and salute the Flag in the morning rather than placing my hand over my heart. In fifth grade we graduated to being the students that would raise our Flag on the outdoor flagpole in front of the school each morning.
I learned how to respect the Flag and the Pledge of Allegiance from my teachers, but most importantly I learned it from my family. Both of my Grandpas served in World War II. They risked their lives to protect our freedoms that the Flag stands for. I was blessed to have a Mom who was the best den leader and committee chair and a Dad who was the best cubmaster that pack 305 has ever had. Their love and respect for the Pledge of Allegiance and our great Flag rubbed off on me.
One of my Dad’s favorite comedians is Red Skelton. So many times as a youth, I walked around the corner of the kitchen to find Dad on his recliner laughing at the Red Skelton show. In one episode in 1969, Red Skelton gave his personal view of the Pledge of Allegiance. Red’s “Pledge” was twice read into the Congressional Record of the United States and received numerous awards.
Here is: Red Skelton - What the Pledge Means to ME.
Original broadcast date: January 14, 1969
From the Red Skelton Hour, CBS TV
COPYRIGHT 1969 RICHARD 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 one day, 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: 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.
OF AMERICA
AND TO THE REPUBLIC: a state in which sovereign power is vested 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: 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, 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?