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by Dennis Wheeler
My dad (Glen Wheeler) and his family grew up Vincennes, Indiana and were neighbors with with Red Skelton. My wife and I had the privilege of meeting him in 1979. Truly he was one of the greatest comedians who ever lived and yet he exhibited deep compassion and love for others.
As a school boy, one of Red Skelton's teachers explained the words of the Pledge of Allegiance to his class. Mr. Skelton wrote down what the teacher said and several years later, on the evening of January 14,1969, he touched the hearts of millions of Americans with his rendition of the "Pledge of Allegiance". Red Skelton's "Pledge" has been read twice into the Congressional Record of the United States and has received numerous awards.
The following is Red Skelton's "Pledge" followed by an observation of his own.
"I remember this one teacher. To me, he was the greatest teacher, a real sage of my time. He had such wisdom. We were all reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and he walked over. Mr. Laswell was his name...he said, "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:
I - Me; an individual; a committee of onePLEDGE - 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 is respect, becuase your loyalty has given her dignity that shouts...Freedom is everybody's job.
OF THE UNITED - that means we have all come together.
STATES - individual communities that have united into forty-eight 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 is 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.
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 the 'Pledge' is a prayer and should be eliminated from our schools too?"
This July 4th weekend, I hope your heart swelled with pride as you recited the "Pledge of Allegiance".
May God bless America...and may America bless God!!
"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."
He serves as the Senior Pastor with southwest Virginia church... a loving church family in Abingdon.
He and his wife Sharon have been married for over 27 years and are the proud parents of two beautiful daughters, one son-in-law, and two precious grandchildren, the second arrived arrived on the scene in September 2004!!
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