“…of The United States…” Those three words evoke a myriad of emotions from cultures and climes throughout the world. To some, the great saving nation, full of strength, and defender of the downtrodden. To others, a source of food and drink to the starving populace. To still others, the legendary land where the dream of success resides, where a person can become anything, do anything, have anything. Finally, to a group, we appear as the seat of evil, the dominating West. What we must remember as citizens of a country represented as all of these things, and many more, is that we are what we choose to be. We live in a time… Nay! In a land, where the choices of this tiny nation will define the lives of every person on this planet for centuries to come. We choose our own future, but in doing so, we are also choosing, vicariously, the outcome of future lives for generations far beyond our finite ability to understand. We hold the key, and must use it responsibly.
“…of America…” That grand word that to so many inspires hope! America the beautiful, the free, the land of liberty. When I hear that word spoken, I feel my heart begin to hush, and my mind fill with somber admiration. We are not a country of unfaultables, nor is our history filled with perfect decisions made by flawless individuals. We are a country that was founded by dreamers. We are the trusted descendants of a people that did everything that they had to in order to secure our freedom from fear. The urge to dream is dying in a country whose foundation is built upon it, and the hope of the populace is being cancered with litigation, and dissatisfaction aplenty. With our dreams went our ideals, and to those of you who still dare to take the most honorable title of “Dreamer,” I would call you to action. Preserve the reverie that is this country’s founding truth; the truth that “We hold. . . . to be self evident, that all men are created equal,” and that every man, woman, and child has the equal, inalienable right, to “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
“…and to The Republic, for which it stands…” An idea that revolutionized the world. A government of the people, by the people, and for the people, amidst a sea of tyrannies and monarchies. Standing in defiance of an administration that had lasted for centuries, we dared to exclaim, “We will not be dictated! We will not be bought or sold! We will not be instructed contrary to our ideals! We take the risks that come with it, and happily embrace them, for in risk we find reward, and if we do not create a life and nation destined to endure, than we do not deserve this land!”
“… One nation, under God…” Although we are under him, many refuse him now. The pillars of this country, all but forgotten, are Life, Equality, and God. Having been established upon such a sure foundation, we are numbed in security, and have forgotten that it is a power beyond our own that has upheld us for so long. A God-fearing nation; A Christian country; now progressing quickly toward Godlessness, and simultaneous anarchy. There are those that remember him, and as long as there is, and we have a voice, we must fight to keep it from being silenced.
“… with liberty, and justice, for all.” A nation does not have the power to do right of its own accord. It is a tract of land, a piece of dirt, with man-induced barriers to hold its shape and inspire cohesion. WE are the nation. It is our thoughts and feelings, our choices and prejudices that define the identity of the country. The realization of our sub-heading caveat depends on our daily selections and weekly preferences. A piece of dirt does not have the power to offer justice, or liberty. It is the sheer will of its inhabitants that decide that.
There is something that I missed in this review. What do we pledge all of these things to? We pledge allegiance, not to our country, our neighbors, our friends, our President, our military, our community, our government, or our economy. When our founding fathers considered what possible ideal or figure to which our allegiance could be ascribed, they chose the thing that they found most sublime, a physical representation of the ideals that they upheld and died for. It was the most mild-mannered of objects. The flag. We pledge our allegiance, not to an administration, but to an ideal. When we see that flag, and cover our heart, we are not saying that a simple piece of fabric can represent this republic, but that the standards for which it waves will be upheld by each person who declares them. That banner represents principles, and if we do not sustain it each time we pledge our hearts, then we shall fall. Let your minds remember, that it is the individual that makes that difference, and your heart, your conviction, and the devotion of those unnamed citizens who pray for the strength, wisdom, and perseverance of this wonderful land are what will, now and forever, lend it its greatness!
