Happy Birthday America

Happy Birthday America. This post is cut and pasted from the following website. If you click on the website, you will be able to hear Red Skelton recite the essay. It is time for all of us to remember how lucky we are to live in the United States.

http://www.poofcat.com/july.html



The following words were spoken by the late Red Skelton on his television program as he related the story of his teacher, Mr. Laswell, who felt his students had come to think of the Pledge of Allegiance as merely something to recite in class each day.

Now, more than ever, listen to the meaning of these words.

"I've been listening to you boys and girls recite the Pledge of Allegiance all semester

and it seems as though it is becoming monotonous to you.

If I may, may I recite it and try to explain to you the meaning of each word?"

II

I, me, an individual, a committee of one.

PledgePledgePledge

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

AllegiancA

Allegiance, my love and my devotion.

To the flag

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

United, that means that we have all come together.

States

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

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

for which it stands, one nation, one nation, meaning "so

blessed by God"

Indivisible

Indivisible, incapable of being divided.

With liberty

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

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.

***~~**~~***

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?


God Bless America!