The Pledge of Allegiance was written in August 1892 by pastor Francis Bellamy (1855-1931).  In its original form it read: I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

In 1923, the words “the Flag of the United States of America” were added; and in 1954, in response to the Communist threat of the times, President Eisenhower encouraged Congress to add the words “under God,” creating the 31-word pledge we say today.

Can you see the intersecting of Right and Left Hand Kingdoms in the revisions of of the Pledge over the years?

In spite of the changes (i.e. additions), one thing has remained: the phrase “I pledge allegiance to the Flag…”  What does it mean to “pledge allegiance…”?   According to Webster’s Dictionary, “allegiance” means “obligation of a person to his state or government; fidelity; devotion.”

We pledge allegiance, not so much to a piece of cloth, but to that for which the cloth stands.  In the case of the United States of America, that means “the Republic for which it stands” (a Constitutional Republic).

Old Glory reminds “we the people” of the United States of America that we have an obligation stated in the Pledge of Allegiance – an obligation, a fidelity, a devotion to “the Republic for which it stands.”  Our obligation (our great challenge, responsibility and privilege) is further stated in the Oath of Office: “I 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… So help me God.”  This is the sacred obligation of all U.S. citizens.

Leaving Independence Hall at the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention (September 17, 1787), when and where the Constitution was signed, Benjamin Franklin was approached by Elizabeth Willing Powell, who asked, “Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?”  Franklin’s reply: “A Republic, if you can keep it.”

Can we keep it?

Old Glory reminds us, at least it does for me, of the Constitutional “Republic for which it stands…” and our obligation as U.S. citizens to support and defend it from all enemies, foreign and domestic.

So help us God!