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.
That was just to see if I could still recall the pledge. I said it every morning as a child, but I’ve encountered it quite rarely as an adult — since the country has really meant something to me. That’s a shame, because I’m a firm believer in daily reminders of what’s important in life. So often we tend to dwell on the negative while forgetting all we have to be grateful for.
We have the greatest nation on earth, and it’s because of all the individuals who have fought for it. There are those who have shed their blood on foreign soil — those who without their work and sacrifice we would have nothing. There are the innovators, those who have the courage to follow their dreams. All the technology, all the modern conveniences we have, we owe to their initiative. It’s hard to believe that we were able to put a man on the moon using a fraction of the computing power found on an iPod, but there’s no question which nation was capable and still is.
Most importantly, there are people in this nation who simply fought to bring their families a good way of life, to open opportunities for their children. They worked hard day in and day out with no national recognition to keep the American Dream alive. That’s the backbone of this nation.
That’s what we need to remember: Too many people have fought too hard for us to settle for mediocrity from ourselves. We were given the opportunity that is this country, and it our duty to do with it what we can. That’s how we keep the American Dream alive. That’s how we keep the country alive. Whatever negatives there are in this country can easily be outweighed by the positives if we believe in them and act like we believe in them.
Every day, remember your pledge. Happy Independence Day.
The Pledge has been said quite a bit around our house recently as my 4-year-old is trying to learn it. He’s pretty much got it down pat, except for “Themerica” instead of “America” and “liverty injustice for all”.
We had a good talk yesterday about what Independence Day means – although my feeling is the only thing that really stuck was that America makes its own laws instead of England making laws for America.
“one nation under God”
I love that line. People look at me odd when I say that part as written and not like so many people do:
“one nation, under God”
Let’s get it right.
I would like to add that many of us, our parents, our Grandparents, etc., etc., worked too hard just to get where we are give away our money (through taxes) and citizenship (through amnesty) and our rights (through gun control and the fairness doctrine). What a shame for people willing to do just that without realizing the huge sacrifices our forefathers made through work, time, and even life.
Someone told me that on the 4th there was a movie theater Pledge of Alliegance at the beginning of every movie. The metro-plex has 13 theaters and the owner has two of them in town.
Bless him and those who participated. We are the “silent” majority and it’s time to get vocal. We’ve flexed our political muscle and now it’s time to “bust some wigs and split some caps”, or at least throw some bums out of office.
Let the revolution begin.
Excellent post, Frank! It is easy to become cynical these days listening to the big media as they crank out all of their crap and constant negative material about America! We are indeed very fortunate to be alive at this time in this great country and we should cherish every moment! I love the Pledge!
I can’t wait to hear a million voices reciting the Pledge, followed by the strains of The Battle Hymn of the Republic as we retake Congress to properly represent US.
Wonderful job, Frank! I try to remember my immigrant grandparents (on one side, and the great-grandparents and great-great-grandparents on the other), my father (fought and was wounded in Europe in WWII), and all the men and women in the military every day, but I don’t always succeed. Independence Day is an important reminder to me to remember them, and, of course, also the men who put their lives on the line by signing the Declaration of Independence or fighting on our side in the Revolutionary War.
I have an uncle that served in the Navy, another that served in the Marines and a Brother-in-law that served in the Marines and is now the head of the K-9 unit for a local police force. I took time yesterday to thank them all for their service.
Amen, bro
If you have childern PLEASE make sure they at least try Scouting (Cub,Boy or Girl Scouts)
They at least will learn the pledge there if its not being run by the ACLU or a LIB!!!