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I remember this one teacher. To me, he was the greatest teacher, a real sage of my time. He had such wisdom. We were all reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, and he walked over. Mr. Lasswell was his namep . He said: ?╟úI?╟╓ve been listening to you boys and girls recite the Pledge of Allegiance all semester and it seems as though it is becoming monotonous to you. If I may, may I recite it and try to explain to you the meaning of each word: I - me, an individual, a committee of one. Pledge - dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self-pity^ Allegiance- my love and my devotion. To the Flag - our standard, Old Glory, a symbol of freedom. Wher- ever she waves, there is respect because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts freedom is everybody?╟╓s job. Of the United - that means that we have all come together. States -individual communities that have united into 48 great states. 48 individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose, all divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose, and that?╟╓s love for country. Of America. And to the Republic - a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people and it?╟╓s from the people to the leaders, not from the lead- ers to the people. One nation - meaning, so blessed by God. Indivisible - incapable of being divided. With liberty -which is freedom and the right of power to live one?╟╓s own life without threats or fear or some sort of retaliation. And justice-The principle or quality of dealing fairly with others. For all-which means it?╟╓s as much your country as it is mine.?╟Ñ Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country and two words have been added to the Pledge of Allegiance - ?╟úunder God.?╟Ñ Wouldn?╟╓t it be a pity if someone said, ?╟úThat?╟╓s a prayer?╟Ñ and that would be eliminated from schools, too ?