What Are You Pledging?
- Peyton B. Goble
- Jun 13, 2017
- 3 min read
“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.”
-United States of America: Pledge of Allegiance (Established in 1892)
The approach I took when searching for the meaning behind the pledge was to dissect each word for its true definition and connect their meanings together. Here is what I found…
“Pledge”: A solemn promise or agreement. The person pledging is promising to abide by what is being recited.
“Allegiance”: Loyalty and dedication.
“One Nation”: Symbolizes a unified nation, or one that is not divided.
“Under God”: “Under” means to be “covered by”, so in relation to the pledge, “One nation under God” would represent the religious values we hold toward our creator and the morals it represents.
“With”: Accompanying, including, or along with.
“Indivisible”: Impenetrable, unbreakable, or joined.
“Liberty”: Freedom and independence.
“Justice”: Fairness, honesty, and integrity.
“All”: Represents all, law-abiding, American citizens.
Individually breaking down and analyzing each word of the pledge allowed me to connect the pieces together and see the big picture of our nation’s pledge. When I connected these words and their meanings together, this is what I found…
“I PLEDGE
(person reciting starts off by stating that the following statements made are solemn promises, and any declarations made will be upheld)
ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
(Claiming allegiance to our nation’s flag is declaring loyalty to the values that our country cherishes, and promising to support the United States through prosperous times and difficult times.)
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS (pledging allegiance is not only promising to remain loyal to the people, but also to remain loyal to the leaders of our country, and abide by the laws they set in place.)
, ONE NATION
(declaring pride in unification and patriotism.)
, UNDER GOD
(despite diverse religious beliefs, the one reciting is showing respect and honor to the country’s overarching belief in one God)
, INDIVISIBLE
(this statement is promising that no matter what may occur, this pledge will not be broken and they will always stay loyal to the United States of America)
, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE
(the reason for upholding this pledge is gratitude for the freedom we are blessed to have and the honesty and integrity of government systems.)
FOR ALL.”
(these blessings of liberty and justice are coated around all United States citizens that abide by the laws set in place. It is significant because there is no discrimination excluding a citizen from these blessings without proper legal cause.)
The reason I dove in depth with the meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance is because I believe that those repeating these words will reflect the tone of their leader. I am not one who takes these words lightly, or someone who recites the pledge without meaningless intention, without consideration, or without sincerity. When I am given the opportunity to recite the pledge, I fulfill my duty with: respect, sincerity, consideration, clarity, and with patriotism and pride to be an American. The flag, and pledge, deserves respect because it was selflessly paid for by the blood of military servicemen and/or veterans that sacrificed their lives and/or freedoms to uphold their declaration of the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Peyton B. Goble