I pledge alliegance

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!

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!

The one below is the one that got me thinking when I pledged 2 weeks after I turned 17.

I, John Gaddis, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.

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!

Amen! So, does that start spangled banner proudly yet wave over the land of the free and the home of the brave? Sadly, I would have to say, with some exceptions, no it doesn't.

It no longer waves proudly, because we are being to taught to be ashamed of what America is.

Is this the the land of the free? Not anymore. We are the land of the largely-free. Don't get me wrong, we still have more freedoms than most. But when compared to what our founders provided for, we have traded liberties for security, perceived prosperity, and good conscience.

Is this the home of the brave? With the exception of a few (and many of those I've met on this site are these exceptions), no. Mostly, we are the home of the complacent and terrified. Time after time, we are presented with hardship, and many respond with "Oh please SOMEONE do something." Not, "It's time to tip back the hat, hike up the pants, spit on the hands, and get to work."

Sorry, I don't mean to be a downer, but this is how I see it. On the bright side, I think all of this will come to a head eventually and, when it does, we will re-invent ourselves better, free-er, and stronger than before.

This was spur of the moment, like most of my posts.
When I moved the RV to this park, one of the first things I noticed was the flags.
Properly displayed, Old Glory above the Lone Star. Lighted at night, but well worn, in need of replacement..
After asking if they were flown in honor of a particular fallen hero, I offered to pay for replacements. The park owner said, "don't worry, we are just waiting on the new Texas flag".
"cool" I thought and glanced that way periodically, waiting for fresh flags.
This morning after I was dressed and the coffe was on, I went out to the truck to get my thermos. 2 Korean War Veterans from the local VFW were just bringing the new flags to the pole after folding and stowing the worn ones.
I was late to the jobsite today.

to be late.

But Texas also has a state pledge:

Honor the Texas Flag,
I pledge alliegance to thee Texas,
One state, under God,
One and Indivisible.

This pledge was passed in the state legislature in 2007 and signed into law by Gov. Rick Perry. The purpose was to reflect a pledge to our state, like the pledge to our nation.

to the flag of the United States of America.
And to the Republic for which it stands.
One nation under GOD, with liberty and
justice for all!

Honor the Texas flag.
I pledge alliegance to thee Texas,
one state under GOD,
one and indivisible!