Another Reminiscence, This One From 2002

The original wording of the pledge written in 1892 for a childrens' publication, was as follows:

I pledge allegiance to my flag and (to)*
the republic for which it stands: one nation, indivisible, with liberty
and justice for all.

*"to" was added later in the same year, with the original author's approval.

The pledge was amended subsequently by the substitution of the words "the flag of the United States of America" for the phrase "my flag." The newly worded pledge was adopted officially on Flag Day, June 14, 1924. By joint resolution of Congress the pledge was further amended in 1954 by the addition of the words "under God." This is how the pledge now reads:

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.

WHENEVER THE PLEDGE IS RECITED, IT SEEMS THAT THERE'S ALWAYS A PAUSE BETWEEN "NATION" AND "UNDER GOD", WHICH HELPS TO COMPLETELY DESTROY THE METER OF THE OLD, ONCE FAMILIAR PLEDGE.

IN 1954, WHEN I WAS A SENIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL, WE WERE RECITING THAT “NEW” PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE (BACK WHEN IT WAS STILL REQUIRED FOR STUDENTS TO RECITE}. WHILE I WAS STILL STUMBLING OVER THE UNFAMILIAR “UNDER GOD” PART, MY FRIEND WITH THE APPARENTLY MUCH TOO COMMON NAME OF TONY SANCHEZ, LEANED OVER TO ME AND SAID “HOW CAN WE SAY ‘LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL’, WHEN THE NEGROES DON’T HAVE THOSE THINGS?”

IT WAS SOMETHING THAT HADN’T OCCURRED TO ME PREVIOUSLY, BUT IN THOSE DAYS, HIS COMMENT WAS CERTAINLY ACCURATE.

AS WE CONTINUE TO FORGET THE MISTAKES OF OUR PAST AND VOTE OURSELVES BACK TOWARD THOSE “GOOD OLD DAYS”, I OFTEN WONDER “WHERE IS TONY NOW?” I SORTA WISH HE WERE THE TONY SANCHEZ RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR.