I Pledge Allegiance

This is my last opportunity to remind you to fly your United States flag tomorrow in memory of those who died when our nation was attacked on September 11, 2001. We must continue to remember how we felt on that day in order to stay strong in our battle against those who would destroy our nation!

Today I would like to discuss something that is sometimes irreverently referred to as "the pledge." I have a book entitled I Pledge Allegiance written by D. K. Webb. This book caused me to think very seriously about what it actually means to pledge allegiance to our flag. I highly recommend this book to everyone who wants to understand what we are really doing when we pledge allegiance to our flag. Many of the ideas contained in my post today were inspired by this book whose words are much more eloquent than mine.
Many years ago when I first started school, I was taught to pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. I was taught to stand at attention facing the flag with my hand over my heart as I repeated the words of the Pledge audibly. At the time that I first memorized the words of the Pledge, I knew they were important, but I did not understand their meaning very well. Today I would like to explain a little of what these thirty-one words mean to me now.
I… The Pledge starts out with I, not we, meaning that it is very personal to each individual. The responsibility and the commitment start with me - one person. The strength of our nation begins with the strength of each individual.
I pledge… I give my personal commitment, my solemn vow, my promise.
I pledge allegiance… I personally make the promise that I will be loyal, devoted and faithful.
I pledge allegiance to the flag… The flag of the United States of America represents the united strength and integrity of our nation. It is our standard, our ensign to all other nations.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America… The word United means to stand together and to act as one. States are the individual areas of our country that fit together to form one country much as pieces of a puzzle fit together to make a picture. America is "the land of the free and the home of the brave." It is a great country because we the people stand together as one to protect and to preserve our own liberty and the freedom of all people wherever they may live. America is a divinely established and protected country, and it will remain free only as long as its people remain good.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic… I think that it is very important to remember that our nation is a democratic Republic and not simply a democracy. In both a democracy and a republic there is a government in which the people hold the power and there is a practice of equality of rights, opportunities and treatment. A democracy is a governing system where the rules are decided upon by a majority of the people. A republic is a governing system where the people elect representatives who then make the decisions that govern the people but who remain responsible to the people. Thus we have a democratic Republic.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands… I feel great love for my flag when I see it flying. I am particularly awestruck when I see it flying under less than desirable conditions. The photograph of the Stars and Stripes being hoisted by six marines atop Mount Suribachi on the island of Iwo Jima on February 23, 1945, always brings tears to my eyes. This flag symbolized the fact that American forces were on the spot.
I am also awestruck by the picture of the three brave firemen who raised Old Glory atop the rubble of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. This flag signaled the presence, strength, and unity of the American people all over our nation and throughout the world.
I remember the story of how our National Anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner" was written by Francis Scott Key on September 14, 1814. After spending a long sleepless night captive on an enemy ship and watching the "bombs bursting" in the air over the fort, when the sun finally came up he could see the "star spangled banner" still flying, and he rejoiced. The hymn that he wrote and that we all love describes his thoughts and feelings at that time.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation… Our nation stretches for thousands of miles over many diverse landscapes. Our people are from many different nationalities, cultures, and creeds. Yet we are of one heart and one mind. We are one nation.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God… Our nation was built on faith in God and religious freedom. Our Founding Fathers believed in God, and our people still believe in God. One of my favorite national hymns is "God Bless America." May we always remember Him and be blessed by Him!
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible… Our Founding Fathers took much time and made much effort to establish the Constitution of the United States. This Constitution brought our nation together, and it has helped to keep our nation undivided for more than 200 years. We are one people standing together against all enemies.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty… Liberty has been defined as freedom from slavery, imprisonment, captivity, etc. Freedom has been defined as independence. The laws of our land support and defend the freedom, independence, and liberty bestowed upon us by God.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice… Justice as has been defined as the use of authority and power to uphold what is lawful, just or right or a reward or penalty as deserved. There can be no mercy without justice. When a law has been broken, a penalty must be paid by someone or justice cannot be served.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all… The pledge begins with I, the individual, and ends with liberty and justice for all. I act as an individual on behalf of all people. I go to the voting booth to cast my ballot. I keep my representatives informed about what principles and ideals are important to me.
I am only one, and you are only one. Together we become "we the people," citizens of the greatest, most powerful, and most compassionate nation on earth. We are Americans who desire liberty and justice for ALL people.