Random Thoughts
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Submitted by : Kerby Spruiell, Austin, Texas Elks Lodge #201 B.P.O.E.
A part of the Elk ritual contains some lovely lines about
our Flag and I would like to share them with you:
The gentle breeze with lingering caress kiss the folds of no flag which
can be compared with it in beauty. There is no such red in budding
rose, falling leaf, or sparkling wine. No such white in April blossom,
crescent moon, or mountain snow. No such blue in woman's eye, ocean
depth, or heaven's dome. And no such pagentry in clustering stars and
streaming light, in all the spectrum of sea and sky.

Submitted by : David R. Lewis, Nashville, Tennessee.
As a schoolboy, one of Red Skelton's teachers explained the words and meaning of
the Pledge of Allegiance to his class. Skelton later wrote down, and eventually
recorded, his recollection of this lecture. It is followed by an observation of his
own.

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 is 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
forty-eight 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 is love for country.
And to the Republic - - 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 qualities, of dealing
fairly with others.
For All - - 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.
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?
Red Skelton

Submitted by : Mary D., Winn Parish Library
Remember Me?
Some people call me Old Glory, others call me the Star-Spangled Banner,
but whatever they call me, I am your flag, the flag of the United States
of America.
I remember some time ago people lined up on both sides of the street to
watch the parade, and naturally, I was always there, proudly waving in
the breeze.
When your daddy saw me coming, he immediately removed his hat and
placed it over his heart. Remember? And you, I remember you standing
there straight as a soldier. You didn't have a hat, but you were giving
the right salute.
Remember your little sister? Not to be outdone, she was saluting the
same as you, with her hand over her heart. Remember?
What happened? I'm still the same old flag. Oh, I have added a few
more stars since you were a boy, and a lot more blood has been shed since
those parades of long ago. But I don't feel as proud as I used to. When
I come down your street, you just stand there with your hands in your
pockets. I may get a small glance, but then you look away.
I see children running around and shouting. They don't seem to know who
I am. I saw one man take off his hat and look around. He didn't see
anybody else with his hat off, so he quickly put his back on. Is it a
sin to be patriotic? Have you forgotten what I stand for and where I've
been? Anzio, Normandy, Omaha Beach, Guadacanal, Korea, and Vietnam.
Take a look at the memorial honor rolls some time. Look at the names of
those who never came back in order to keep this republic free. One
nation under God. When you salute me, you are actually saluting them.
Well, it won't be long until I'll be coming down your street again.
So, when you see me, stand straight and place your right hand over your
heart. I'll salute you by waving back. And I'll know that you remembered.
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