None of which answers the original question:
What meaning do mandatory pledges have?
I say none. Forcing kids to say the Pledge is just stupid, they’re mouthing words they don’t understand and don’t believe. It’s frankly a stupid idea that goes against everything America stands for. America is about freedom of choice and the freedom to NOT blindly pledge allegiance to a government that’s supposed to work for US. By the people, for the people and of the people. Government officials should be pledging their allegiance to us, not the other way around.
Is that what you taught your kids ?