Posted on 06/28/2002 10:39:43 AM PDT by MosesKnows
From the Red Skelton Hour, January 14, 1969
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 Red's explantion of these words. Red Skelton later wrote down, and eventually recorded, his recollection of this lecture. It is followed by an observation of his own.
"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?"
Red Skelton's Commentary on 'The Pledge of Allegiance'
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 1913-1997
To hear it in Red Skelton’s own voice is far more powerful but nonetheless I have included the text here for all children who may benefit from it.
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.
Some of our leaders seem to forget that difference.
Under God. Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said that is a prayer, and that would be eliminated from schools, too?"
When he wrote this, it was intended to be an absurdity as extreme as anyone could imagine. Some of our leaders have become extreme absurdities, who forgot that we live in a representative republic.
Thank you for posting that URL. I hope many can take advantage and download it. Red's words are powerful to me because I grew up with his words. Did his words seem powerful to your children?
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