The importance of our Pledge

“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.”

Everyday in grade school, the first thing every morning, we all stood beside our desks and said the Pledge of Allegiance.

These many years later, we stand and face our flag, and recite the Pledge at the beginning of our Kennett Rotary Club meetings.

When I was growing up it was the norm to see a group of citizens, right hand over their hearts, reciting the Pledge.

In August of 1892, the original Pledge was written by a defrocked Baptist minister turned magazine editor by the name of Francis Bellamy.

In 1923 and 1924, the National Flag Conference, under the leadership of the American Legion and the Daughters of the American Revolution, changed the Pledge’s words, “my flag”, to the flag of the United States of America.

In 1942 Congress officially recognized the Pledge of Allegiance.

In 1954, President Eisenhower proposed, and Congress approved, the inclusion of “under God” to connect with the phrase, “one nation”.

Unfortunately, the inclusion, has caused much controversy that continues to be debated.

I enjoy reciting the Pledge and reaffirming my allegiance to our country.

The image of a group of children, or civic group members, looking at the flag, with hands over hearts, screams patriotism to me.

Controversial? What isn’t in this day and age.

I believe it promotes unity.

No matter where you are from we are united together living in this country.

Stand up, say the Pledge of Allegiance and be proud to do so.

Or don’t.

That’s the beauty of this country. We have that choice.

I know the people kneel during the pledge to bring awareness to the social injustices of our nation, but I believe the lives lost in our wars to establish our freedom to indeed kneel, and protest, should also be recognized.

Remember Proverbs 17:18 says, “A man of good sense gives a Pledge and becomes security for another.”

That sounds like unity to me.

Just some thoughts about patriotism as I reflect on Veterans Day.

See you out there.