Pledge of Allegiance
with Annotations

Chuck Klein, © 2005

Published in LINES OF DEFENSE, Police Ideology and the Constitution (2000).

The current version of this most sacred of American commitments [with annotations], reads:

I Pledge Allegiance

I [me, personally] pledge [promise as an oath, vow] allegiance [loyalty, duty, devotion]

to the Flag of the United States of America,

The flag [the symbol, the representation] of the United States of America, [50 states joined together as one people]

and to the Republic

the Republic [a nation that lives by the rule of law]

for which it Stands,

for which it [the Flag] represents, [not only do we pledge our allegiance to the flag and the Republic, but we promise our loyalty and devotion to the principles on which this Republic is founded],

One Nation Under God,

our nation [united as a single people] under God, [a supreme being],

Indivisible,

indivisible, [we will not be divided against ourselves. Facing all enemies we stand together - back to back, shoulder to shoulder, rich to poor, liberal to conservative],

With Liberty and Justice for All.

liberty [freedom, sovereignty, emancipation] and justice [equality, fairness, truth, adherence to the rule of law] for all [every one who is within our power to protect].

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THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

"...should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag and render the military salute." (36 USCS #172).