June 18, 2008 12:39 am
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I had no idea that Congress hadn't recognized the Pledge of Allegiance until June 22, 1942. My calendar has printed on it “ Pledge of Allegiance Recognized by Congress in 1942.” Gee whiz, it was written in 1892. I remember that we said the Pledge in school each morning in the first grade and that would have been in 1941. We began the Pledge with the right hand over our heart during the phrase “I pledge allegiance,” then we put our arm out toward the flag at the phrase “to the Flag” with our palms facing upward. That it was during WW II and the outstretched arm was soon stopped because it was thought to be too much like the Nazi salute. I must have been in the second or third grade when we were told to keep our hands over our hearts. A few students wouldn't say the Pledge or put their hand on their heart. My parents explained that those students belonged to a religion that didn’t believe in saying the Pledge.
The Pledge has gone through at least three changes since it was written in 1892. From 1892 to 1923 we said, “I pledge allegiance to my Flag and to the Republic for which it stands: one Nation indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.” From 1923 to 1954 it was “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands: one Nation indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.” From 1954 to the present we say, “I pledge allegiance 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.”
It was the Knights of Columbus that got the idea of adding “under God” to the Pledge. They tried for years but finally it was a Presbyterian minister who got it done in 1954. George Docherty, of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church near the White House. On February 7, 1954 Docherty knew that President Dwight Eisenhower would be in attendance and used the occasion to point out the wisdom of including God in the Pledge. He finished what the K of C started.
Eisenhower said, “These words “under God” will remind Americans that despite our great physical strength we must remain humble. They will help us to keep constantly in our minds and hearts the spiritual and moral principles which alone give dignity to man, and upon which our way of life is founded. “
Some individuals and groups protest the words “under God:” The American Civil Liberties Union wrote, "The government should not be asking impressionable schoolchildren to affirm their allegiance to God at the same time that they are affirming their allegiance to the country... Removing ‘under God’ from the Pledge is not anti-religious … just the opposite is true. The only way the religious reference in the Pledge can be upheld is for the Court to conclude that the words ‘under God’ have no religious meaning, which is far more insulting to people of faith."
Americans United for Separation of Church and State wrote, "I happen to like the Pledge of Allegiance. I like the original one, written back in 1892 by a minister who didn't feel it was necessary to use the word 'God' because he was writing a patriotic statement for the country. Back in 1954, we got a little politically correct during the McCarthy era. Everybody had to prove not just that they loved America, but that they also loved God. We got patriotism and religion confused."
Patrick Henry wrote, "The great pillars of all government and of social life are virtue, morality, and religion. This is the armor, my friend, and this alone that renders us invincible."
Barack Obama said in a 2006 speech, "A sense of proportion should also guide those who police the boundaries between church and state. Not every mention of God in public is a breach to the wall of separation - context matters. It is doubtful that children reciting the Pledge of Allegiance feel oppressed or brainwashed as a consequence of muttering the phrase 'under God.' I didn't."
Senator John McCain included in his book the account of a fellow prisoner in Vietnam making a makeshift flag and how they all recited the Pledge every day for 5 1/2 years while a prisoner of war.
The Korean War began 58 years ago next Wednesday. A veteran of that war will share a little of his experience with us.
I love hearing from readers but am seldom at the Daily News. Please send emails to patjsmith@verizon or notes to 122 W. Sheridan, Greensburg, 47240.
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