“One Nation Under God”

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, November 25, 2011
By Sue Ella Deadwyler

Good morning, Jim. 28 years before he died in 1997, comedian Red Skelton assumed the role of school teacher for an amazing recitation. He said “I‘ve been listening to you boys and girls recite the Pledge of Allegiance [and]…. If I may, [I’ll] … explain … each word,” and he did:

“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; [respected wherever she waves], because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts, ‘Freedom is everybody’s job.’ [Of the] United: That means … we have all come together. States: Individual communities … united into forty-eight great states … with pride and dignity and purpose…. divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose … 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: – meaning, so blessed by God. Indivisible: Incapable of being divided. With Liberty: … Freedom; the … power to live one’s own life, without threats, fear, or … retaliation. And Justice: The principle, or qualities, of dealing fairly with others. 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, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.’” After that pledge, Red Skelton ended with this:

“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. [Those words are] ‘Under God.’ Wouldn’t it be a pity if someone said that is a prayer and that would be eliminated from schools, too?”

In recent years, that “pity” has become a reality, but the truth remains. Ungodly forces may delete “under God” from the Pledge to the Flag, but no one can take away our position under God! Happy Thanksgiving! For Georgia Insight I’m Sue Ella Deadwyler, your Capitol correspondent.