Pledge of Allegiance

"I had this one teacher…to me this was the greatest teacher, a real sage, of my time anyhow, had such wisdom. Mr. Laswell was his name. And we were all reciting the Pledge of Allegiance of day and he walked over and said, “I’ve been listening to you boys and girls recite the Pledge of Allegiance all semester and it seems as though it were 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 freedom. Wherever she waves, there's respect because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts freedom is everybody's job
United
that means that we have all come together
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
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
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, fear or some sort of retaliation
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.

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 under God, 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?"
- Red Skelton