Respecting The Flag and Pledging Allegiance Displays Your Integrity

When I look at the flag of the United States of America waving high in the air, no matter where I am I feel proud, I get a warm feeling inside of me and I think about why we can fly that flag, and why we do. I think about the wars that our flag endured right alongside of our fighting soldiers. It went through many battles, was torn, muddied, shot, and at times carried the blood of the soldier that was carrying that flag. When our P.O.W's would see our flag they knew they were going home. Some were so overwhelmed that they shed tears; not tears of fear or weakness, but tears from the joy, the pride, and the honor that they felt inside. Those soldiers made a pledge of allegiance to their country and the flag that represented it. They didn't just say the words when they made that pledge, they pledged their lives to protect our country and the symbol that represented it. That symbol known by many is the Stars and Stripes; that glorious flag made of broad stripes of red and white, representing each of the original 13 colonies and 50 stars, one for each state in the union displayed so bold on a background of blue to represent the darkness of night. This symbol of beauty has changed some over the years as our country has grown but the honor that it holds in one's heart has held steadfast.

When you pledge allegiance to something you are making a serious promise. Let's break that down. "I pledge allegiance" is saying that you promise your loyalty. Who are you promising your loyalty to? When we are talking about the "Pledge of Allegiance" as shown to the right, you are promising your loyalty to the flag of the United States, your loyalty to the Republic for which it stands. So you are promising to be loyal to that flag, and to the Republic; that is the United States. So you are professing your loyalty to our country and to the flag that represents it.

How far does your loyalty go? Does it mean that as soon as you are done stating those words that they meant nothing, or that it was an empty promise? I don't think so. Your loyalty means that you will not speak out against the flag or our country in a demeaning or treasonous way. You will protect the flag, not to the extent of protecting it with your life to the average person but for the military, it does mean with their lives. For the average person that means that you will respect the flag, not destroy it intentionally, not let it outside in inclement weather, not letting it hit the ground. In general, you will take care of it and be proud of it by displaying it prominently. You are promising that you will protect the United States. How do you protect your country? Being in the military, that is obvious. You will fight when called upon and you will protect your country with your life if necessary. The average person can protect their country by not betraying her through selling or giving away information to a foreign nation that would prove to be detrimental to the demise of our country. That doesn't just mean military secrets, that can be financial information that brings down our country. It is your duty as a citizen to protect our country from anything or anyone that intends to do harm on our country. You might not need to personally use physical force against someone but you can report such activity to authorities that will use force if needed. That is being loyal to your country. That is what you are pledging when you say the Pledge of Allegiance. Basically you need to stand by your country and speak out when someone is trying to do something to harm our country.

"One Nation Under God", acknowledges that our country is based on the belief in God but accepts all religions. When you pledge your allegiance you are promising that you will protect those rights for religious freedom.

"With Liberty and Justice For All", means that everyone has a fair chance to succeed in the United States and will be protected by our laws. It is the duty of the citizens in our country to see that the laws are implemented fairly for everyone. We are a nation of laws for the protection of every citizen and you are pledging to live by those laws.

From a young age we have been taught the pledge of allegiance but many young children learning the words are not taught the meaning of the pledge. Like any pledge, this should be taken seriously and honored. You should be proud when you say those words and you should have the integrity to honor the pledge even when someone is not around to see you do it. If all of our citizens lived up to the pledge that they are so free to say at meetings, sports events etc. the spirit that our founding fathers had in their hearts when the pledge was created would be revived and we all will see a rise and be united in patriotism and honor once again.

Because it is the greatest symbol of the greatest country in the world. Unless you are an American Citizen or someone around the world that we saved from tyranny, it would be hard to understand the meaning of such a symbol. Even some of our American citizens don't get it. Some people choose to run it down by speaking badly against it or burning it, but even though it is their right as a citizen of the United States, it is disgusting and as far as I am concerned, it is treason. I love the American flag because it represents the strength, the courage, honor, spirit, and it represents all that is good in people. The United States helps everyone around the world and every where we go our flag is there too. That is why it is respected and loved, not just by American Citizens, but loved by anyone and everyone that has experienced the greatness from the country and the people for which it stands. Never underestimate the power of that symbol.

If not for our courageous men and women that serve, or have served in all branches of our military, we would not have the right to fly our flag, pledge our allegiance to it, or feel proud when we see it. Our military has protected our rights for over 200 years so you can do those things. They protected your right of freedom of speech to speak out against the flag, or burn the flag. Yes that is your right under freedom of speech. How ironic that someone would speak out against the very symbol of the best country in the world when they would not have the right to be able to speak out against the military, the flag, the country, and our laws, etc. if it were not for the very things they are complaining about. You say the Pledge of Allegiance many times over your lifetime but for to many people it is just words. Think about the pledge and what it means to you, and then live up to that pledge so you can preserve all these rights that our great country allows you to have. Fly the flag of the United States of America proudly! It is your right! Be proud of it and be loyal to it and to the Republic for which it stands; The United States of America!