I’m 63 years old. And even back when I was a young ‘un, there was no rule compelling children to recite the pledge.
Slippery slope. It’s becomes too easy to get caught up into whatever direction the frenzied crowd goes. Think of a poured beer coming to a head. Amongst crowds this behavior becomes dangerous.
Just take the case of Ashlee Babbitt. Served her country well and would not crawl through that window on her own. Everyone wants to be a part of the something but one must never forget who they are. She did and it cost her her life.
I’m a few years older, and yes we recited the Pledge of Allegiance daily in elementary school.
There were a few families in a church similar (but NOT Seventh Day Adventists as they would clarify) that forbid their members from pledging allegiance to city, state or country. The teaching was that God is the ultimate and to include allegiance to country or flag was blasphemous.
Those students were allowed to remain seated and not participate. And yes, other kids would occasionally pester them or accuse them of whatever... kids being kids.
But it never was a big deal. Live and let live was a big way of looking at life in the rural Midwest in those days.