“For All”

“…for All.”

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,
and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible,
with liberty and justice for All.

by Becki Zanardi

ALL inclusive,
ALL expenses paid,
ALL aboard!
ALL for one, one for ALL.
NO exceptions, so be prepared.

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Becki Zanardi is a wife, English teacher and the founder-owner of Moody Girl Salsa. She is a mom to two beautiful children, and one much older one having taken this humble blog’s owner under her wing his freshman year in high school while she was a junior. He still respectfully calls her “mom” and enjoys a jar of her salsa whenever he can.

“And Justice”

“…and justice…”

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,
and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible,
with liberty, and justice…

by Chet McGrury

Justice simply defined is equality before the law. Fairness and impartiality with no prejudice to wealth, class, religion or race. Seemingly simple by definition yet difficult to make function.

I sit and I scratch my head as I look at the history of the “Pledge of Allegiance”. I wonder what Francis Bellamy had in mind for “Justice” when he wrote it in 1892. Women and African Americans were not exactly treated equally and fairly. Bellamy, being a bit of a socialist, may have had hope for a utopian America where everyone was “equal”. If his intent was a socialist system for America, I find that a bit distasteful. The uniqueness of the American experiment, the inspiration that comes from the freedom of the individual, is a beautiful irony to Bellamy’s ideals.

With that having been said we come to my thoughts on “and Justice”. If you dig past the definitions dealing with equality, punishment, and conformity to the law you’ll find another example of justice. “Do oneself Justice”. To do something to the best of ones abilities. The freedoms given to us in this country allow each individual to do as much or as little with the talents God has given us. Each individual doing justice to himself does justice to our exceptional nation.

Take that Francis.

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Chet McGrury is a father of two small children, husband of one and a graduate of Doane College. Chet’s small business allows him to travel many small country towns in Nebraska and Kansas where he gets to interact with the small business owners grinding out a living in what are sometimes fading little towns. He loves working with some of the truly exceptional people that really make it work out there. Chet loves his family, his country, his bible and his guns.

“With Liberty”

“…with liberty…”

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,
and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible,
with liberty…

by Sue Sawaged

“…but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” – Patrick Henry

If you were to ask me if I remember the day my parents left, the answer would be I do not. But I imagine to a child whose mother and father have gone to settle in America, time would take on a dimension all of its own. The days would seem longer than twenty-four hours, the hours longer than sixty minutes and the minutes themselves would seem infinite.

View of Al Husn. (photo credit jimbojack.com)

What I do remember is how I passed the time while they were away. In the mornings after breakfast, I joined my grandfather on the roof of our house where he raised chickens. I threw the gritty chicken feed and dozens of birds scurried to the middle. I loved how they squawked and flapped their wings when I chased them. My grandfather scooped me up into his arms and hoisted me onto his shoulders and pointed to the West, toward the horizon, past the rooftops of the stone houses and the open woodlands of olive and pistachio trees, past the orchards plump and pregnant with grapes, their vines bending toward the sun.

From the roof, I saw the whole town of Al Husn stretched before me. Baba and Mama were out there, beyond the horizon, somewhere beyond where the clouds disappeared and left only a faint blue light.

Many years after I was reunited with my parents in America, I asked my father why we came to this country, why he left his mother and father, his only brother and his younger sisters…why he left his childhood friends, his classmates, and the only home he knew. But most importantly, I asked him why he left me.

“For freedom”, he said. “To make a good life for you. For us.”

In 1965, my father traveled with my mother over 6,000 miles from a small town in the Arab country of Jordan to the land of liberty, the United States of America, where a man could pursue an honest life and not be denied his chance, where its citizens may move freely within her vast borders without hindrance or fear, a land brimming with opportunity and freedom of choice.

As I sit here writing, I imagine what it would have been like for my father, back in 1965, had he not immigrated to this country. He could not have publicly denounced his King without fear of imprisonment. Had he owned a liquor store, he could not have served alcohol during daylight hours on Ramadan Fridays. He could not have walked publicly with the woman who would become my mother had they not been betrothed or engaged. And had Saudi Arabia been his country of birth, as a Christian, he would have had to worship underground.

And I wonder what life would have been like for me.

In the 45 years that my father has lived in this country, he has obtained a fine education and retired from a company that provided an honest living with wages that could support seven children, now all grown and successful. He is free to worship, vote, speak and assemble along with the other liberties he is afforded as a citizen of the United States under its Constitution. He is free to simply be happy. These are liberties to which we are all entitled as citizens.

Thomas Jefferson said, “The God who gave us life gave us liberty at the same time.” I am forever grateful to my father and mother for pursuing freedom and liberty for themselves and their family.

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Suhair (Sue) Sawaged is an avid reader and finds great joy in the beauty of a poem or the calming feeling of well crafted prose. She loves travel, writing, gardening, baking, taking long soaks in a bubbly bath, and talking to the moon.

Sue lives in Omaha, Nebraska, with her three children and yellow Lab, Noelle.

“Indivisible”

“…Indivisible…”

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,
and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible …

by Angela Ragosa

Indivisible: Not divisible; unable to be divided or separated.

Indivisible articulates the strength of our country as a whole. Our melting pot society consists of citizens from many nations that have come together through shared desires and experiences, to live in a free and just nation. Through the great depression, two world wars, incidents of terrorism, as well as the recent economic downturn, the great people of America remain an indomitable force within the global community.

If you listen to the daily pundits on the many radio and TV talk shows, on both the left and the right, you would think we are a society breaking apart – poor vs. rich, liberal vs. conservative, Democrat vs. Republican, black vs. white, weak vs. strong. Some people may believe that the vitriolic debate that takes place between our politicians represents a division amongst our people, but it is through the rigorous debate that we are able to create the best solutions for our country.

In many countries around the globe, this debate does not take place. The government does not allow it. The ruler or rulers do not want to hear it. People are beaten, imprisoned, and killed for trying to express their desire for a better, free life for themselves and their families.  These governments, if you can call some them a government, have a false impression that they can control their citizens. But the reality is that these conversations are taking place. Maybe they cannot be heard in their great halls of government or in their palaces, but they can be heard in the whispers of small gatherings, in the alley ways of the marketplace, or even in their thoughts at the end of a long hard day. Gandhi said “We have believed – and we do now believe – that freedom is indivisible, that peace is indivisible, the economic prosperity is indivisible”.

The recent “Arab Spring” is clear example that even after decades of control, the desire of the individual to have control over their freedom, their life, is indivisible. Over the past several months we have marveled at the spirit of these freedom fighters. We have watched as they persevered through tear gas, bullets, and bombs. One country’s fight inspired other countries. Some were resolved quickly and others still battle on. But the fuse has been lit and we still do not know where it will end.

For our country the battle continues. The “tea party” movement surprised many people because it showed that even after over 200 years of freedom, our people still have the strong desire to organize and fight when they feel they are not being heard. The movement is still small, but that is not unusual for something so young. Its history is still being written. Much bigger is the indivisible spirit that it represents: The continued desire for a free people to be heard; the continued desire for a free people to live in peace; the continued desire for a free people to see their children and their children’s children prosper and grow.

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Angela Soelzer Ragosa is a freelance writer, poet & published author. She has had 3 short stories published, Making Prada Proud, The Birthday Story & Panic as well as numerous poems.

Angela’s passion lies primarily with the written word although she also enjoys photography & self -portrait collage.

Angela resides in Texas as well as in Florida; both of which she chooses to call Home.

“Under God”

“…Under God…”

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,
and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God …

by John Roby

Taken alone, these two words describe the natural state of man. It is both where every man resides and a hint of the limitless potential for joy inherent in the Creator’s promise. We all exist under God, even those who choose to deny Him and His existence. Under God.

In the context of the larger pledge, ‘under God’ (although added in 1954 as some tirelessly point out) is a continuance of the unbroken historical thread which runs back to the founding father’s original declaration separating the colonies from an oppressive Britain. As we recite the Pledge of Allegiance, we repeat the challenge that a small group of farmers and merchants flung into the teeth of what was then the world’s super power: What you do is unjust because it violates an Authority greater than your king and we will tolerate it no more.

As we repeat the phrase, ‘under God,’ we repeat the promise that those men secured with their lives, their fortunes, their sacred honor. We acknowledge the Author of the rights of men and that we will strive make those rights flesh in the laws we craft, in the way we conduct our national business and in how we choose to relate to the world. Such is the obligation of the governments of men: To enforce the inalienable rights in the justice of their actions.

Under God means that this nation, unique in the history of human governance, stands united under the recognition of the universal rights of men and the Being who endowed us with those rights. It is a reminder of the self-evident truth that under God, all men are equal and so they must be in the eyes of our laws. That although our citizens identify with various creeds, they are one under a uniting principle which melds us into a sovereign nation. We all believe in the inalienable rights, even if some of us choose to disregard the Author. They are our birthright.

This nation under God is imperfect, because men are imperfect. But under God reminds us that we must always look to Him in crafting our laws and in delivering our justice. That any matter which falls short of His promise in our eyes will surely fall short in His. We cannot achieve His perfection in any endeavor but under God reminds us of the responsibility to try. To keep what He has given us in the front of all things regarding the affairs of state.

Finally, under God reminds us He’s watching. That a people grown too complacent, too decadent, too petulant, a government grown too arrogant, too unjust too amoral; no longer stands united under God because they’ve strayed too far from the Author of their rights. That when we lose sight of His promise and the rights He has endowed us with, our authority to govern holds no more credence than did King George’s. Ours is a republic if we can keep it. But we can only keep it if we keep the moral contract inherent in the words, ‘Under God.’

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John Roby is  a former broadcast journalist turned IT  project manager and amateur political pundit. John served the United States Army and Army National Guard from 1986-1998 both as an enlisted man and later as a commissioned officer. He has  written news stories for both the print and broadcast media, but has found writing for personal enjoyment and expression is novel to him. Rrecently he has found himself compelled to write on a number of issues that matter most to him personally, finding the experience, not to mention the response, beneficial and cathartic. 

“One Nation”

“…One Nation…”

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,
and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, …

by Stacye Carroll

According to World Book Dictionary, the word nation refers to a community of people sharing a common territory and government, as well as language, race, ethnicity, and/or history. With typical aplomb, Americans have pushed that envelope; we’ve taken the idea a little further, and built the concept a little bigger, making the scholars’ definition appear quaint. From infancy, The United States has been a nation born of amalgamation, and yet we remain one nation, still.

I am not well traveled. I’ve been in the business of raising children since my early twenties, and children insist on eating, even while traveling, necessitating frequent stops in restaurants that seemingly have no qualms about charging $2.00 for a glass of iced tea that cost pennies to brew. No, I haven’t traveled much. But I’ve seen enough to learn that despite surface differences, most of the people populating our nation have in common a belief in- and desire for “American” values.

I’ll use, as an example, the owner of my local convenience store. Some will consider me crass for pointing out that you can probably guess his country of birth. Personally, I have no problem with the truth. He’s Indian, East Indian to be precise; as is his lovely wife, his son, and a daughter who enrolled at Columbia University last fall.

I thought he would burst as he told me. His eyes danced. He bounced on the balls of his feet. His wife smiled at him over yards of colorful silk swaddling her body, newly plumped by her love of Southern-American cuisine.

“She’s going to be a doctor!”

They could have been anybody.

She could have been me. I’ve smiled many a benevolent smile upon witnessing my man love our child.

He could have been my next door neighbor who has been known to chastise his son for bringing home an 87 on an exam. He wants the best for his boy and knows the only way he’ll get there is through excellence.

At the end of the day both of us, she and I, either literally or in the form of a memory from another, younger time, will kiss our babies good-night. We’ll take one last look around the house and, content in our security, end the day each in her own way.

She promised, one day, she’d teach me the art of henna tattoos. I’ll share my recipe for fried green tomatoes.

We are so different.

We are the same.

We are one nation.

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Stacye Carroll raises babies, chickens, and assorted fruits and vegetables in a western suburb of Atlanta, Georgia.  She also likes to take pictures.  And, sometimes she writes…

“And To The Republic For Which It Stands”

“…and to the Republic for which it stands…”

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,
and to the Republic for which it stands…

by Marcia Drogheo

This phrase of The Pledge of Allegiance contains two parts: “and to the Republic” and “for which it stands” that need to be discussed, at least at first, separately.

And to the Republic
Meaning also loyalty to the government, our government, which is a republic where the PEOPLE are sovereign or according to Merriam-Webster, “possessing supreme power”, “independent”.

For which it stands
The flag represents and stands for our government.

Thoughts of an 11 year old
“The flag stands for us—our nation.” My daughter’s very simple explanation when I asked her what this phrase means. She gets it.

My thoughts
For fifteen years, first as a student and now a teacher, I have recited The Pledge of Allegiance countless times without thinking. There have been times where I stopped to talk about the overall meaning of “The Pledge” with my students and how it is a symbol of our great country and it is a way to honor it.

But now reflecting on this particular section brings to mind an image I’ve had since first learning The Pledge of Allegiance over thirty years ago. An innocent and literal interpretation; a memory really, of what I was thinking as I was standing, hand over heart, in my first grade classroom facing the flag. As I was saying “and to the Republic for which it stands” I would picture our flag standing high above the USA. Not figuratively standing for our government, but literally standing over our country as if protecting us. This brought me comfort and a sense of pride.

American Flag Over Sumter Poster Image Courtesy Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division

Although I know that this section of The Pledge means that the flag represents and stands as a symbol of OUR government that we show loyalty to, I will always have that image in my mind as I recite “The Pledge” 175 times per school year.

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Marcia Drogheo is an elementary school teacher, wife, and mother of two very active girls in Denver, Colorado. She is kept very busy with her family, work, and volunteering in her community.

“of America”

“…of America…”

 I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America…

by Andy Estes

Allow me to tell you what I think it is to be “of America.”

This land has always been one of true pioneer spirit. Leif Eriksson seeking better fishing. Columbus seeking a passage to India (and later, gold). Ponce De Leon looking for the fountain of youth. The Quakers, Lutherans, Methodists and a host of others seeking relief from persecution. Oppenheimer, Einstein, Sikorsky, the Beatles…all came here for one reason: This land celebrates the individual “…yearning to be free.” Can there be any greater hope in the human heart?

We seem poised on a knife’s edge; at what point does individual liberty threaten the security of a nation? At what point does national security threaten individual liberty? Is wearing Muslim garb more sinister than the tartan plaid in Boston? Is “Bury my heart at wounded knee” less valid than “remember the Alamo?”

We are all part of a Covenant. This is the Great Melting Pot. To be “of America” is to remember what America set out to be: “The land of the free and the home of the brave.”

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Andy Estes is an admitted crackpot who believes in freedom, he has been: salesman, construction worker, writer, musician, parent, mechanic and once held the world record score on Zaxxon.

“Of The United States”

“…of the United States…”

 I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States…

by Kay Morris

Four simple words full of meaning and memories, thoughts and emotions: Of The United States.

As a child in the segregated south those words were stated daily as we stood, hand over heart, and recited The Pledge of Allegiance to a flag with 48 stars. In those days we studied the meaning of the pledge. While those teachings have escaped my conscious memory they are no doubt a part of my belief system. Things were simple then, each star represented one of the states that were a part of the United States. Of The United States meant being a member of a country that stretched from the Atlantic to the Pacific and from Canada to Mexico.

As I aged and the United States grew I observed that being a member of the United States meant classmates who lost their lives on foreign soils. The United States meant burning crosses, riots and battles in larger cities. The United States meant following written and implied rules determined by others. The United States also meant the right to disagree with those rules and the freedom to battle injustice and discrimination toward others who were also members of the United States.

Today I am an older, retired member of the United States. The United States means Social Security and Medicare, the ability to travel and view the differences between each of the states and other countries too. The United States, while not united by location, color, ethnicities, religion nor core beliefs, means the freedom to discuss, debate, educate, and interact with diverse people who are also members of the United States. Though much has changed through these years, being a member of the United States still fills me with pride.

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Kay Morris is a retired RN and a perpetually 26 year old Queen trapped in the body of her grandmother. She currently lolls about in Central Arkansas wondering how her children became older than she. Suffering from the Peter Pan syndrome she vows to never grow up and to always be particular.

“To The Flag”

“…to the flag…”

I pledge allegiance to the flag…

by John Dewey

I remember as a Cub Scout being instructed on the importance of our national flag.  I was taught “Old Glory” is a living breathing extension of the United States.  While many pundits would say that it is just a “symbol” and should be treated as such I often wonder how this nation would have evolved less this flag were another “symbol”?

The flag that Francis Scott Key saw still flying over Ft. McHenry "by the dawn's early light."

Take, for instance, Francis Scott Keys’ song “The Star Spangled Banner”.  Most of us (professional singers, Hollywood types and pop stars excluded) learned the first stanza of his song many years ago and sing it at various events throughout the year.  We all know the ending “O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?”  What has always bothered me quite frankly is the question mark.  So was Mr. Key questioning our Flag or our resolve as mere symbols of an ideal?  Well, once you read the rest of the song, you quickly realize that in the midst of one of the bloodiest, deadliest wars this nation has ever fought; Key’s held our Flag with high respect knowing that it was freedom, democracy, sacrifice and honor.

Many a video has been shown depicting the burning our Flag in effigy denouncing the United States.  Many a news reporter and political activist touts that the burning of our Flag represents a mere “symbolic” gesture to America.  I often wonder if the same intellects support the use of cultural cleansing.   I understand that one could argue that the two are completely different, but respectfully disagree.

Our Flag is a living breathing extension of the United States.  It demonstrates a sacrifice by women and men who gave of themselves for others so that we may live free with equality, diversity and the potential for abundance.  The ideals our Flag represents attracts foreigners (ok well maybe we do need a fence) from other nations to our soil each year.  And while this country is by no means perfect, our Flag represents the ability for our citizens’ to live as free people.

We may want to consider making the final verse of Key’s song as our national anthem.  It tells the story of our Flag, our great nation and the sacrifices that were made to give us our freedom.  It reads:

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.”
And the Star – Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

God Bless our Flag and our Nation.

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John Dewey is a husband, father, son, and brother who enjoys the 500, the Derby, and Colts games. He is also a purveyor of fine bourbons and among the last persons still alive who refer to this blog’s owner by his collegiate nickname.