Red Skelton's Pledge Of Allegiance

THIS IS A BLOG I POSTED IN 2015 ~ And several times since.  It tells of a chance meeting with Red Skelton in 1959 - and I recall it as though it happened yesterday.  In 2015 I shared this blog in my Friends Ministry eNewsletter and on Facebook. 

It speaks of the character of a great American and it speaks of his love and appreciation for the America we grew up in and in which we live today.   God bless, Bill

Subject:	WHAT DOES AMERICA MEAN TO YOU?
Date:	Sun, 01 Mar 2015 16:24:05 -0800
From:	Bill Gray <billdory@pacbell.net>

Hi to all my Friends,

WHAT DOES AMERICA MEAN TO YOU? -- To me, it means a nation where God, Family, Country have meaning.  It means a nation governed in freedom - of the people, for the people, and BY The People. 

When you accept a new job, you accept the fact that the owner of that company has the right to tell you how to do your job.  When elected officials accept a job in our nation, that means that he/she accepts the fact that he/she works for us -- not against us.

In my lifetime, I can think of no man for whom I have more respect that Red Skelton.  I will never forget the day, in late 1958 or early 1959, when my classmate, Bob Davis, came through Los Angeles on his way home after being discharged from the Air Force.  He spent a few days with me and my family.  And, then I took him to the old Los Angeles Airport, an airport with one small Arrival/Departure room and one Ticket Counter room.

As Bob and I were waiting in the Arrival/Departure area, a door opened and a porter with a luggage cart holding about 15 to 20 pieces of matched luggage came into the room followed by a man.  I knew he must be someone important, but at first I did not recognize him.  Then, when he smiled, I instantly knew it was Red Skelton.

Most celebrities, then and now, will just rush through a room full of people - not wanting to waste time with them.  Not Red Skelton.  He lit up the room with that Red Skelton smile -- and then went around the room greeting and shaking hands with every person in the room.  That is a good man first, a celebrity second.  That was Red Skelton.  

And that is why I accept what he tells us about the Pledge of Allegiance and take it to heart, for I know that he is truly serious when he tells us what the American Pledge of Allegiance means to him. 

So, gather your Friends, Family, especially your children and grandchildren, around and let them all hear and understand what the Pledge of Allegiance means to Americans, all Americans. 

With many of the negative things currently happening across America and in Washington DC, and as we all are, or should be, thinking about the upcoming election and VOTE IN 2016 - this explanation of the Pledge of Allegiance should take on even greater meaning to you and to me.

I want to thank my nephew, Brad Gray, for sharing this video with us on Facebook today.  

Red Skelton's Pledge of Allegiance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUTjwQUvP0Q

May our Lord watch over and protect you, your family, and our homeland, America.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill 

Click on the image to enlarge: