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I PLEDGE---
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Have you ever listened to people recite the Pledge of Allegiance at a meeting. I have and I'm sorry to say that in most cases, people sound tired saying the words. One reason I believe this to be so is because as scouter, we tend to repeat ourselves when it comes to openings.
"Color guard advance, post colors, please join me in the Pledge----" If most of this sounds familiar then you probably know what I mean. So how do we change this.
First, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DO THE "PLEDGE of ALLEGIANCE" AT EVERY MEETING. I put this in all caps because many people do not like to hear this. Try an opening skit, story, or patriotic song.
Next, when you do the Pledge of Allegiance, add something to the front to liven it up. Below are a few short readings which can be read before the Pledge is said. Not only will this take the routine out of your openings, it may teach the people a little about the flag and our country. These may be written on a 3X5 file card and kept for meetings.
Many of the following are borrowed form the Great Salt Lake Council, 1994 Pow Wow Book.
INTRODUCTION TO PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The pledge to the flag was written in the office of "The Youth's Companion", a magazine published in Boston in 1892. It was first used in the public schools on Columbus day, October 12, 1892. And now will you please rise and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.
THE FLAG SPEAKS
(Lights our--spotlight an flag) I am whatever you make me-nothing more. But always I am all that you hope to be and have the courage to try for. I am song and fear, struggle and panic and ennobling hope. I am the day's work of the weakest man, and the largest dream of the most daring. I am the Constitution and the courts, statutes, and stature makers, soldiers and street sweepers, cooks, counselors, clerks. I am no more than you believe me to be. My stars are your dreams and your labors. For you are the makers of the flag and it is well that you glory in the making.
FLAG DAY
A 19 year old school teacher, Bernard J. Cegrand, in 1885 hold the first Flag Day exercises at Fredonia, Ozaukee County, Wisconsin. Thirty-one years later, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson declared June 14 as National Flag Day. The little cobblestone school house has been restored and is now a shrine for the purpose of honoring the Flag.
A MESSAGE FROM THE FLAG
A great host of heroes, with the help of God, have kept me gallantly flying in the face of every threat and challenge to the democratic way of life which I represent.
The blood spilled at Valley Forge, Gettysburg, San Juan Hill, Bataan, Korea, Viet Nam, and every other great battle fought on .land, in the air and on the sea is in my red stripes.
The shining light of-sunshine is in my white stripes, penetrating the blackest night, which in the nation's darkest hours are filled with radiant light.
The vast infinity of the heavens is in my stars; inspiring mankind to continue climbing courageously up the spiral staircase of history to a world of glowing promise.
I am the emblem of man's finest dreams. I am the last hope on earth. I AM THE AMERICAN FLAG.
To personally understand and maintain the American way of life and to pass it on to succeeding generations is the responsibility of every True American. LET US VOW TO DO THIS, AND THINK ABOUT IT NOW AS WE PLEDGE OUR FLAG.
Thomas Jefferson said, 'The God who gave us Life, gave us Liberty at the same tim"" As we repeat the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, LET US REMEMBER THAT OUR FLAG IS A SYMBOL OF THIS PRECIOUS LIBERTY.
Because we are Proud and Appreciate America's roll in World Peace and leadership. LET US NOW PLEDGE OUR FLAG WITH PRIDE.
We have Good Government only when We, The people of the United States of America, play an active part in making it good. LET US PLEDGE OUR FLAG WITH THAT IN MIND.
The greatest Public Document of the American People is the Constitution of the United States. Our Flag represents our Constitution in Action. LET US NOW PLEDGE OUR FLAG.
The U.S. Flag is the emblem of our Nation. The Leader of the Free World. LET US NOW PLEDGE OUR FLAG.
13 Stripes and 50 Stars This phrase can only refer to Our American Flag. Let us remember the history behind those stars and stripes AS WE PLEDGE OUR FLAG.
As we salute the Flag, let us remember the words from the American's Creed "IT IS MY DUTY TO MY COUNTRY TO LOVE IT, TO SUPPORT ITS' CONSTITUTION TO OBEY ITS LAWS, TO RESPECT ITS FLAG and TO DEFEND IT AGAINST ALL ENEMIES."
"LONG MAY IT WAVE"... Let us remember the history behind this famous phrase AS WE PLEDGE OUR ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG.
The Red in our Flag stands for Courage and Bravery. Today as we salute our Flag, LET US REMEMBER OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN THE ARMED FORCES WHO ARE SERVING US AND OUR COUNTRY.
Planted Firmly on the high pinnacle of American Faith, the U.S. Flag has proven to be and Inspiration to Untold Millions. Men have looked upon the Flag as a Symbol of National Unity. LET US UNITE IN THE PLEDGE OF THE FLAG.
So long as the Principles of Truth, Justice and Charity for All, remain deeply rooted in Human Hearts. Our Flag shall continue to be the Enduring Banner of the United States of America. LET US JOIN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO OUR FLAG.
For more than 200 Years, Our Flag has been the Emblem of Liberty for Generation after Generation of Americans. LET US LOOK AT IT WITH PRIDE AS WE PLEDGE OUR FLAG THIS DAY.
The Flag flies before our eyes as a bright Gleam of Color and a Symbol of Ourselves. LET US JOIN IN PLEDGING THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
The Stars and Stripes are our Dreams and our Labors. IN THESE UNSETTLED TIMES, LET US PLEDGE OUR AMERICAN FLAG WITH NEW HOPE.
Our Flag is Bright with Cheer, Brilliant with Courage, and Firm with Faith. LET US ADD THIS WITH OUR SINCERE PLEDGE TODAY.
Our flag is Representative of Constitutional Government designed to Serve All Our People. LET US REMEMBER THIS AS WE PLEDGE OUR FLAG TODAY.
In the Pledge of Allegiance, there is no comma or pause after the word "NATION". The concept of "ONE NATION UNDER GOD" is a precious thing. To weaken it with an unwanted comma or pause is an affront to Patriotic Heart as well as the Poetic ear. LET US SAY THE PLEDGE CORRECTLY.
Because We are Thankful and Appreciative of leaders such as Abraham Lincoln. LET US PLEDGE THE FLAG AND AT THE SAME TIME REMEMBER THE GREAT PRESIDENTS OF OUR LAND.
AS WE PLEDGE THE FLAG TODAY, let's remember George Washington, the Father of our Country, and the Heritage of America.
WE THE PEOPLE That is what Our Flag Stands For. LET US PLEDGE OUR FLAG.
For the Opportunities Our Country offers to the youth of America, LET US NOW PLEDGE OUR FLAG, THE EMBLEM OF OUR NATION.
In the Folds of Our Flag are Enshrined Every Ideal, Hope and Opportunity made possible because Someone has lived. LET US PLEDGE THE FLAG.
Please send me your comments, suggestions, additions, and requests.
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