Fifty five years ago the words “under God” became part of the pledge of allegiance to the United States flag.  Some wonder how these two words became part of the original pledge.  Some say the Knights of Columbus started using these words in their meetings as it slowly spread across the country.  However, according to the memories of President Dwight David Eisenhower, he was listening to a sermon by Reverend George McPherson Docherty quoting from the sermon of Abraham Lincoln.  This sermon occurred at the same church in which Lincoln had worshipped nearly one hundred years before.  The message spoke to the need for a nation to depend upon God and to realize the spiritual values of the nation were of a greater importance than the nuclear strength it possessed. 

Two years ago a Colonel Van Barfoot of Richmond, Virginia won a case against his homeowners association and a state law was created to prevent a HOA from barring anyone from displaying a flag.  Why does a Medal of Honor veteran and hero have to fight others to display his country's flag? 

The American people have become like sheep as those in the minority seek to undermine and overturn things which have unified this country for over two centuries.  Flags have always led the way into battles and stood as symbols for others to follow. It is not the fabric nor the color but what the flag symbolizes.  Our country shed much blood and tears to come to the point we are at today.  We celebrate the flag and we say the pledge but do we ever mean it?  What does the Pledge of Allegience mean to you and to me? (Watch the Red Skelton "Pledge of Allegience" in the video bar)

Those of us who have served our country and remain, it is the representation of over one million Americans who died for our freedom.  It is the basis of a government of the people, by the people and for the people.  It is not a symbol of tyrants, but of trusted men and women who sought freedom regardless of country of origin.  The flag which drapes the coffins of dead military service personnel is a vivid and stark reminder this freedom is not free. 

June 14th is Flag Day. Inspired by these three decades of state and local celebrations, Flag Day - the anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777 - was officially established by the Proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson on May 30th, 1916. It would be President Truman who would sign it into law in 1949.  (USFlag.org)  However, it originally started in the mind of a school teacher.  So in two weeks, what will you do to show the rest of the world your love, respect and admiration for Old Glory?