Pastor's Welcome

Our guest article from Red Skelton. Because of the situation in Iraq, this page will be here until the conflict is over.

For many years I have received by E-Mail, and many, many articles, and stories, and sermonettes that were worth saving to use at a later date. I have received one that I think bares being placed here on Trinity United Methodist's web page. You may click on the link below and listen to Red Skelton, and you may choose to read the text below as he tells his story about the Pledge Of Allegiance.

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.

"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 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 -- 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 -- which means, boys and girls, it's as much your

country as it is mine.

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