I think we all remember citing the Pledge of Allegiance as a kid in school, but not really knowing the significance behind the words. There has been a lot of controversy in regard to standing for the National Anthem & the significance of what the Flag represents & why it is so important to our Veterans & our country. The Pledge of Allegiance is simply a way of supporting veterans & military personnel, it’s one way we can honor those who serve & have served the greatest country in the world.
By standing & reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, we recognize the blood, sweat & tears it has taken to be where we are today. The American Flag is important because the stars stand for the states of the United States & the 13 line stripes represent the original 13 colonies that came together to oppose the British & to serve as a symbol of American values, Life, Liberty, & the Pursuit of Happiness.
So, let’s break down the words of the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance meaning I promise to be true, it’s loyalty. To the Flag-the symbol of our country, of the United States of America-each state that has joined to make up our great country. And to the Republic-a republic is a country where the people choose their representatives to make laws for them, that is the government is for the people. For which it stands-the flag, meaning the country, one nation-a single nation, under God-the people believe in a supreme being. This line was added by Congress in 1954 encouraged by President Eisenhower in response to the Communist threat of the times. Indivisible-meaning the country cannot split into parts, with liberty & justice-meaning with freedom & fairness, and the last line, for all-for each person in the country, you and me!
The most important reason we should stand for the Pledge is to honor those who have served to preserve our freedom. Patriotism is a sense of pride, admiration, & love a person has for his or her country, it is not about allegiance to a political affiliation, but to the country as a whole. In America’s history, Veterans have been a symbol of safety, freedom, & bravery. They have kept us safe, given us freedom, & have looked into the face of death & said, “Not Today”. There is a saying, “We don’t know them all, but we owe them all”.
Upcoming Events: March 17th & 18th, 2023 All American Grand Bash https://allamericangrandbash.com
April 15, 2023, Cupcake and Craft Beer Festival https://cupcakecraftbeer.com/
Good to know: Your life is worth it. Keep fighting and never give up. Every day, responders at the Veterans Crisis Line help people going through a crisis. Dial 988 then Press 1 to reach qualified, caring responders who are ready to listen.
Operation Welcome Home is here to serve veterans and their families in the greater Morgantown area. Let us know how we can assist you by visiting www.welcomehomewv.com or by calling 304-816-4854. See you all next month.