Priceless Allegiance

Now please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance… Hand Salute… “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.”

I hear chairs squeaking against the linoleum floor. Most of my class stands and obliges the droning voice everyday, but there are always a couple students that stay sitting, completely silent.

As I glance out of the corner of my eye I notice these few children, either entirely sitting or standing and not saluting or voicing any words. I shake my head in shame. According to our constitution we all are granted freedom. I agree, one should be able to choose to say The Pledge of Allegiance or not. Honestly though, why wouldn’t you? Why would you not want to illustrate patriotism and respect to your own country?

Millions of soldiers have died for this country, for your safety, for your freedom. The only reason it is possible to object to saying The Pledge of Allegiance is because of what The Pledge of Allegiance stands for. It clearly states “with liberty…for all”. This liberty has been fought for and brought to the power it is today, because of our founding fathers will, because of the strength of what we believe in, because of the determination of soldiers. We should all honor those who have sacrificed themselves for this implausible gift.

Some can easily argue the fact that we do have liberty, the liberty to express and follow our own religious customs and beliefs. I can see that in many senses, you should be able to wear appropriate religious attire, have equal opportunities to achieve the American dream, etc. I agree with all that, but in the mix nobody who lives in America and even more, attends a public school, should not want to honor their nation.

I can vaguely understand those in private schools, paying for their own education, yet hardly in any public school. This Nation provides everyone the right to an education, it secures them a future if wanted badly enough. If they don’t want to pledge any loyalty whatsoever to the country, but are using the educational freedom of it, paid for and provided by this Nation’s government, isn’t that a little hypocritical?

We have people, illegal immigrants, who are risking their lives to partake and live in America. On the other hand we have people who already have this right, this privilege and are dishonoring it, throwing it away. These insolent people are like the wealthy kids who can get into college with bad grades, having all the connections in the world. While the illegal immigrants, are like the kids who worked their butts off attaining a perfect GPA, who are underprivileged and have applied for tens of scholarships but don’t get in to their dream school, while wealthy, unintelligent people do. Therefore, those already provided with the American values should never take advantage of them and honor life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Pretty soon everyone may end like those spoiled kids who take everything they ever have in life for granted. Citizens in America will take our freedom for granted; maybe we’ll forget the crisis’ in Africa, the mistreated children and women in the Middle East. We may forget how many sacrifices have been made for our benefit and how lucky we are, to already be free and privileged. We may just forget what we stand for. So those with the privileges and rights, make due of them. Honor them; don’t overlook how lucky Americans truly are.

“My country, ’tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing; land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrims’ pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring!” Freedom is absolute. Choices are also absolute. We have a choice to say The Pledge of Allegiance, to express our loyalty and thankfulness to our founding fathers, and to the greatness of our Nation. A choice displays more affection than having to be obligated to do so. So make the choice. Bestow thankfulness and loyalty to our country. Say The Pledge of Allegiance.