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.  

Now, more than ever, listen to the meaning of these words (Click to listen, 600kb)
 

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.

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 is a prayer
and that would be eliminated from schools too?

God Bless America!

Red Skelton