From THE RED SKELTON HOUR, January 14, 1969

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


The Pledge of Allegiance



Ime, an individual, a committee of one.
Pledgededicate all of my worldly goods to give without self-pity.
Allegiancemy love and my devotion
To The Flagour 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 Unitedthat means that we have all come together.
Statesindividual communities that have united into 48 great states, 48 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 Republica 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 Nationmeaning, so blessed by God.
Indivisibleincapable of being divided.
With libertywhich is freedom and the right of power to live one's own life without threats or fear of some sort of retaliation.
And justiceThe principle or quality of dealiing fairly with others.
For Allwhich means 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's a prayer" and that would be eliminated from schools too?

Red Skelton





Pledge of Allegiance... Red Skelton