Virgi’s Views On This ‘n That

Every Tuesday before the Rooks County Commission meeting, everyone present stands up and recites the “Pledge of Allegiance.” A simple thing really, but it reaffirms my belief that there is hope for our country.

I printed Red Skelton’s Pledge of Allegiance in my editorial years ago, and thought it was time to do it again…

“I—me, an individual, a committee of one,

pledge—to 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 dignity that shouts—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 50 great states—50 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 with sovereign powers 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 under God—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 threat, fear or some sort of retaliation,

and justice—the principle or quality of dealing fairly with others,

for all—which means, boys and girls, it’s just as much your country as it is mine.

“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’s a prayer,’ and that it would be eliminated from the schools, too?”

Comedian Red Skelton wrote this in 1969. He loved our country and believed in the American Dream, and always ended his show with, “Good night and may God bless.”