The following words were spoken by the late 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.

"Boys and girls, I have been listening to you recite the Pledge of Allegiance all semester, and it seems that it has become monotonous to you. Or could it be, you do not understand the meaning of each word? If I may, I would like to recite the Pledge and give you a definition for each word."

I

me, an individual, a committee of one

Pledge

dedicate all of my worldly good to give without self pity

Allegiance

my love and my devotion

To the flag

our standard, Old Glory, a symbol of courage. And 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 by imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common cause, and that's love of country

Of America

And to the republic

a republic—a sovereign state in which power is invested into the representatives chosen by the people to govern. And the 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 for one to live his own life without fears, threats, or any sort of retaliation

And Justice

the principle and qualities of dealing fairly with others

For all

for all—that 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 be eliminated from our schools too?

God Bless America!