The Pledge

I chair the local chapter of a professional industry association. One thing we’ve made a practice of doing is reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of our meetings. We do this at our National-level conferences as well as our local meetings. It’s automatic. It’s expected.

Locally, if we don’t have an American flag in the room, I have an MOV file that displays a waving flag within our presentation deck. At our national conferences, we typically have representatives from a local military unit present the Colors.

At our meeting last week, we followed protocol and I led the Pledge. At a meeting break, one of the speakers came up to me and shared how they thought it was cool that we said the pledge. She also shared how, to the best of her recollection, today was the first time since elementary school she’d recited the Pledge.

I can remember reciting it as a student, but times are different now…she was a bit younger than me.

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.

Thirty-one words. Words that have significance, depth, and power. Words that have distinguished our country, as well as caused consternation – often, within our own citizenry.

When’s the last time you recited the Pledge?   If you’re not from the US, does your country have something similar?