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Commentary on the Pledge of Allegiance
by Red Skelton
As a schoolboy, one of Red Skelton's teachers
explained the words and meaning of the Pledge of
Allegiance to his class.
Skelton later wrote down,and eventually recorded,
his recollection of this lecture.
It is followed by an observation of his own.
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.
United - - That means that we have all come together.
States - - 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 qualities,
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?
Red Skelton
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O, Beautiful for spacious skies, (Deuteronomy 33:13).
For amber waves of grain, (Deuteronomy 33:16).
For purple mountain majesties, (Deuteronomy 33:15).
Above the fruitful plain! (Genesis 49:26.)
America! America! (Genesis 48:21.)
God shed His Grace on thee, (Genesis 48:16).
And crown thy good with brotherhood. (Genesis 48:20.)
From sea to shining sea! (Ezekiel 47:18-20.)
O, Beautiful for pilgrim feet, (Deuteronomy 33:13).
Whose stern, impassioned stress, (Genesis 49:23).
Thoroughfare for freedom beat, (Psalms 72:8).
Across the wilderness! (Deuteronomy 32:8-11.)
America! America! (Genesis 48:21.)
God mend thine every flaw, (Genesis 49:22-26).
Confirm thy soul in self-control, (Isaiah 45:13).
Thy liberty in Law! (2 Corinthians 3:17).
O, Beautiful for heroes proved, (2 Chronicles 25:6).
In liberating strife, (James 1:25).
Who more than self their country loved, (Revelation 12:11).
And mercy more than life! (Psalm 37:21-31.)
America! America! (2 Samuel 7:10).
May God thy gold refine, (Isaiah 2:7).
'Til all success be nobleness, (Genesis 48:15-16).
And every gain divine. (Deuteronomy 33:13-17.)
O, Beautiful for patriot dream, (Hebrews 11:9).
That sees beyond the years, (Isaiah 60:21).
Thine alabaster cities gleam, (Revelation 21:18-20).
Undimmed by human tears! (Revelation 7:17.)
America! America! (1 Chronicles 17:9).
God shed His Grace on thee, (Acts 4:33).
And crown thy good with brotherhood, (Deuteronomy 32:13).
From sea to shining sea! (Micah 7:12).
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