by Dr. H. Wade Paris
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Next Tuesday, June 14, is Flag Day in the United States, commemorating the adoption of the United States flag on that day in 1777. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day. Now, 239 years after its original adoption, I will proudly fly the American flag on the front of my house.
All over our nation on that day, citizens will be flying the flag and reciting the pledge to the flag. Not only is our flag beautiful with its red white and blue; but our pledge to the flag is nobly beautiful as well. As you know, it begins with the words, “I pledge… ” In other words, I make a commitment to “the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.”
When we make that pledge, we are saying we understand we must give to our country even when that requires sacrifice. President Kennedy said it well, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country.”
This nation is composed of many kinds of people. That was true in 1777 and is even truer today. Still, we are one. The pledge recognizes our oneness with the words, “one nation.” Observing the United States is a little like observing a butterfly, you see many patterns and colors; but it is still one beautiful butterfly. Some people object to the words, “under God,” in the pledge, but not me. Not only the United States but the entire universe is under God. Not to be under God would mean we must leave the universe, and that is not possible.
The final words of the pledge are likely the noblest words of all and also the most difficult to achieve, “with liberty and justice for all.” Human nature tends to want more and better for some even though that might mean less for others. Our pledge says that is not the way it is supposed to be. There is to be liberty and justice for everyone.
When I fly my flag and when I say the pledge, I will remember the prayer of Katherine Bates, “America! America! God shed His grace on thee, and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea.”
God bless America!