Red Skelton: Pledge Of Allegiance Explained

[MA-Caver]

This is up on my facebook page as I got it from another friend who got it from a friend who posted the video. After a brief search I found it on You Tube and also the transcript of the "talk" he gives on his show.
I remember this particular talk and realized that it was ONE of the things that instilled a sense of patriotism of my country (not my government) when I was a boy. The memory was a powerful one to say the least.
I share it here with you all and would like to hear your comments/thoughts.
Skelton was a shriner clown who loved to entertain and make people laugh. So much so that he ended up with his own show and it was a hit for a few seasons. I used to watch this program as a kid in my pj's before going to bed. Such a gentle spirit, such a wonderful and CLEAN sense of humor.

In 1969, Red Skelton demonstrated on his CBS Television program how a teacher gave a word by word explanation of the Pledge of Allegiance, according to the official Red Skelton web site. Skelton said that he learned this in 1923 when he was a boy after his teacher commented that a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance by his class had been monotonous.
Red Skeleton (1913-1997) was a popular and multi-talented entertainer who began his career in radio in 1937. He appeared in 38 films and after the advent of the television became a Tuesday night staple to home viewers in 1951, first on NBC and later CBS. His evening comedy and variety television program ran nearly 20 years. Skelton was accomplished in the art of pantomime and known for various characters including a hobo named Freddie the Freeloader and country bumpkin Clem Kadiddlehopper.

http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/r/red-skelton-pledge.htm

[yt]TZBTyTWOZCM[/yt]
This is a transcript of what this wonderful man had to say.

I remember a teacher that I had, Now I only went through the 7th grade, I went through the 7th grade... I left home when I was 10 years old because I was hungry... I used to, this is true, I'd work in the summer and go to school in the winter.
But I had one teacher who was the principal of the Harrison School in Vincennes Indiana. To me this was the greatest teacher, a real sage, of my time anyhow. He had such wisdom.
And we were all reciting the pledge of allegiance one day, and he walked over this little teacher, Mr. Lasswell was his name.


He says I've been listening to you boys and girls recite the pledge of allegance, all semester.
And it seems as though it's becoming monotonous to you. If I may, may I recite it and try to explain to you, the meaning of each word.


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 faith, where-ever she waves, there is respect, because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts that freedom is everybody's job.
(of the) United ; that means that we have all come together.
States (of America) ; individual communities that have united into 48 great states. 48 individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose. All divided with imaginary boundaries yet united with a common purpose, and that's 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;... (no explanation was necessary)
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, or fear, or some sort of retaliation.
And Justice ; the principal 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?

 

[Archangel M]

.

 

[Knives]

that was fun to listen to

 

[David43515]

Thank you. I remember listening to that on the radio a few years ago, and it`s as inspirational now as it was then.

 

[Gordon Nore]

Great post, thanks.

A few things I caught in Skelton's rendition of the pledge.

Pledge ; dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self pity.

I don't know that everyone would find that particular meaning today, whether in the USA or elsewhere. It's a bold sentiment today in the, "This is mine," world.

To The Flag ; ... because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts that freedom is everybody's job.

Can't argue with that.

States (of America) ; individual communities that have united into 48 great states. 48 individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose. All divided with imaginary boundaries yet united with a common purpose, and that's love for country.

What a wonderful sentiment.

 

[Tez3]

What's a shriner clown?

 

[punisher73]

What's a shriner clown?

Simplest answer, the Shriner's are a group that do alot of charity work and kind of a "social club" with the charity as it's common goal for meeting.

For more info here is their website:

http://www.shrinershq.org/shrine/

 

[MA-Caver]

Simplest answer, the Shriner's are a group that do alot of charity work and kind of a "social club" with the charity as it's common goal for meeting.

For more info here is their website:

http://www.shrinershq.org/shrine/

In simplest terms from their site... http://www.shrineclowns.com/

 

[Tez3]

Thank you, sounds like our Variety Club.

 

[geezer]

Guess I'm a lone contrarian on the pledge. It's not like I have a huge problem with it or anything, since I share those patriotic sentiments, but I've always felt that I'd rather be pledge loyalty to the principles of our constitution and what they represent, than to a bright colored piece of cloth.

After all, throughout history, the patriots of many nations have bravely fought for their homelands, following the banners and standards of their nations. And those standards and symbols were sometimes used to unite good folk to fight for very bad causes. So I'd rather pledge my loyalty directly to those principles that or flag stands for.

 

[MA-Caver]

Guess I'm a lone contrarian on the pledge. It's not like I have a huge problem with it or anything, since I share those patriotic sentiments, but I've always felt that I'd rather be pledge loyalty to the principles of our constitution and what they represent, than to a bright colored piece of cloth.

After all, throughout history, the patriots of many nations have bravely fought for their homelands, following the banners and standards of their nations. And those standards and symbols were sometimes used to unite good folk to fight for very bad causes. So I'd rather pledge my loyalty directly to those principles that or flag stands for.

Well yes and that is what the flag is for... as a symbol of those standards and values and all we hold dear in this country... the things that Mr Skelton talked about.
Just as the Nazi flag symbolized terror and ultimately mass murder the American flag came to symbolize freedom. Right now it's being viewed as something else but for the most part if you ask anyone what they think of when they see the stars and stripes and ask what does it mean... they may say "freedom".
I stand behind my flag and I'll die for my country... I will not stand behind present government nor die for them... as the man said... government is the people, and it's from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people...
So until it's righted back to that standard (our government) then I'll stand by my position.


god help me

 

[Archangel M]

I agree with Caver. I see our flag as a symbol not just a piece of cloth.

 

[celtic_crippler]

The sincerity and patriotism with which Mr. Skelton delivers the meaning of the pledge brings a tear to my eye...

The fact that it has been removed from the shools and our lives in general, and that the meaning behind those words are lost on apathetic ears also brings a tear to my eye...