Jul 1st “the Pledge of Allegiance”

Pledge of Allegiance

and…

When I was a small boy in Vincennes, Indiana, I heard, I think, one of the most outstanding speeches I ever heard in my life. I think it compares with the Sermon on the Mount, Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, and Socrates’ Speech to the Students.

We had just finished reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, and he [Mr. Lasswell, the Principal of Vincennes High School] called us all together, and he says, “Uh, boys and girls, I have been listening to you recite the Pledge of Allegiance all semester, and it seems that it has become monotonous to you. Or, could it be, you do not understand the meaning of each word? If I may, I would like to recite the pledge, and give you a definition for each word:

I — Me; an individual; a committee of one.

Pledge — Dedicate all of my worldly good to give without self-pity.

Allegiance — My love and my devotion.

To the Flag — Our standard. “Old Glory”; a symbol of courage. And wherever she waves, there is respect, because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts “Freedom is everybody’s job.”

of the United — That means we have all come together.

States — Individual communities that have united into 48 great states; 48 individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose; all divided by imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common cause, and that’s love of country —

Of America.

And to the Republic — A Republic: a sovereign state in which power is invested into the representatives chosen by the people to govern; and the 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 — Meaning “so blessed by God.”

[Under God]¹

Indivisible — Incapable of being divided.

With Liberty — Which is freedom; the right of power for one to live his own life without fears, threats, or any sort of retaliation.

And Justice — The principle and qualities of dealing fairly with others.

For All — For All. That means, boys and girls, it’s as much your country as it is mine.

Now 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 be eliminated from our schools, too?

John Wayne and the Pledge of Allegiance

Back in 1972, John Wayne recorded a spoken word album called America, Why I Love Her, described as “a series of heartfelt, patriotic speeches over a bed of stirring music.” You can stream the entire album below (or over on Spotify). Above, we’re featuring the 8th track on the release, Wayne’s recitation and exegesis of the Pledge of Allegiance. Some will find it corny, others rousing. Personally, I’m not a fan of syrupy nationalism. But I’ll give Wayne’s interpretation this–his take recognizes America as a place of inclusiveness and openness, giving everyone equal access to its opportunities and institutions. Compare it with the nationalist rhetoric you hear today, and, you might find yourself longing for John Wayne’s sunnier America.

“I pledge allegiance to the flag”

What do those words mean to you? To me they say, “Thank
you, America, for your strength, your courage and your
freedom…which has been a beacon to the world for two
hundred years.”

“Of the United States of America”

Whose bright stars are fifty states…each bearing its
own stamp of individuality. People…two hundred
million strong…people who have come to her from all
corners of the earth.

“And to the republic for which it stands”

A land of laws…with an ingenious system of checks and
balances that allows no man to become a tyrant…and
lets no group prevail…if their power is not tempered
with a real concern for the governed…A land where the
right of dissent and of free speech is jealously
guarded…where the ballot box is the sword…and the
people its wielder.

“One nation under God”

A land where freedom of worship is a cornerstone of her
being…A land graced with temples and churches,
synagogues and altars that rise in profusion to embrace
all the religions of the world.

“Indivisible”

A land forged by the hot steel of raw courage…and
formed forever…by the awful crucible of civil war.

“With liberty”

Where man in pursuit of an honest life will not be
denied his chance…where her citizens move freely
within her vast borders without hindrance or fear…A
land brimming with opportunity…where freedom of
choice is the guide for all.

“And justice”

The courts of our land are open to all. Its wheels of
justice grind for all causes…all people. They look to
every avenue for justice…every concern of the
law…and they temper their reasoning with mercy…

“For all!”

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