Red Skelton was always a favorite of mine and I'm sure of many of you. I'm sure many of you have seen this before, but I think it's worth repeating indeed. It is particularly appropriate given the 9th Circuit Court's recent idiocy. Happy 226th! And may God continue to bless the USA and Troop 624!

Yours in Scouting, Ted

WORTH REPEATING

The late Red Skelton related this story of how his favorite childhood teacher, Mr. Laswell, helped his class understand the words to our Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Laswell was concerned that saying the Pledge had become just one more classroom chore, and he wanted the words of our Pledge to have more meaning.

Mr. Laswell 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. 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!

"of the United" -- that means that we have all come together.

"States of America" -- 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.

Red Skelton added, "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?