Red Skelton’s Commentary on the Pledge

Red Skelton recalled a schoolteacher explaining the meaning of each part of the Pledge of Allegiance. He later recorded the lesson and added a personal observation.

I: Each person acting as an individual.

Pledge: A wholehearted dedication.

Allegiance: Love and devotion.

To the flag: Loyalty to the national symbol and the freedom it represents.

United: People and communities joined together.

States: Distinct communities united by a common love of country.

And to the Republic: A nation governed through representatives chosen by the people, with authority flowing from the people to their leaders.

For which it stands: The principles represented by the flag and the republic.

One nation: A single country blessed by God.

Indivisible: Incapable of being divided.

With liberty: The freedom to live without threats, fear, or retaliation.

And justice: The principle of dealing fairly with others.

For all: The country and its promises belong equally to everyone.

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.

Skelton concluded by recalling that two states and the words “under God” had been added since his childhood. He wondered whether describing those words as a prayer might one day cause them to be removed from schools.