The late comedian Red Skelton was one of America's most beloved entertainers from the late 1930's through the early 1970's. In 1969, in a rare moment of seriousness on the air, he recited the "The Pledge of Allegiance," in an unforgettable way, on his television show. The words are below.
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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's 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 48 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's love for country.
AND TO THE 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 quality 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? "
I saw this in a TV broadcast in either late '69 or early '70. I had just returned from Viet Nam and the attitude of this coutry was changing from one of patriotism and support of our servicemen and government to riots, little respect for elders, authority or veterans. I was spit on, called a baby killer, and subjected to other acts of disrespect. We were told to not mention our service if we wanted to find a good job; but I kept my pride in spite of it all. When I heard that broadcast, I felt that there was hope, that some people really cared. By the time Red finished, I was in tears, so very proud to have served my country, and to be an American. I hope and pray that others will feel the same. God Bless America.
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