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2:06 PM Friday, June 19, 2009

... Many Americans born since the 1940s are surprised to learn that the Pledge of Allegiance they know isn’t the original, but has been revised three times:

• In 1923, “the flag of the United States” replaced “my flag.”

• In 1924, “of America” was appended to “United States.”

• In 1954, “under God” was inserted, ironically dividing “one nation” and “indivisible.”

Myths about the pledge abound:

• “It’s always been this way” is clearly absurd, since “always” includes times before 1954.

• “Everyone should recite it” is inconsistent with individual freedoms of religion and speech.

• “It’s what our soldiers died for” insults those who have sacrificed, not for a mere symbol (the flag), nor for a ritual utterance (the pledge), but rather for the history-altering humanitarian principles of egalitarian liberty and justice, as embodied in our Constitution and enjoyed (in theory, if not always in practice) by we the people.

Should school children learn the pledge? Only as long as we don’t mock “liberty and justice for all,” by threatening, penalizing or ostracizing anyone who conscientiously objects to reciting it.

After all, the pledge and the flag are only symbols of patriotism, not its substance. Patriotism’s true substance is genuine love, honor, service and sacrifice for country and fellowmen. It’s mutual respect and tolerance for our differences. It’s understanding our history and embracing the principles in our Constitution. It’s acknowledging our nation’s imperfections and striving to make it better.

Unfortunately, some who fancy themselves patriots tend to obsess over the symbols while ignoring the substance. They forget that if we abandon patriotism’s substance, its symbols become meaningless.

Steven A. Joyce

Middletown

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