As a schoolboy, one of Red's teachers explained the
words and meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance to the class. Later,
he wrote down, and eventually recorded, his own interpretation.
He also recited this during his live stage performances. Red Skelton
was very patriotic and he very much loved his country.
Pledge of Allegiance
by Red Skelton
I:
Me, and 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 it's a prayer,
and it would be eliminated from schools, too?
Red Skelton