Pledge of Allegiance
 

I wonder why for most clubs here they start meetings with the pledge. Everywhere I have lived this was never done except in grade school. Personally I think it serves no purpose. I I love this country and flag but I think it's overkill here. Theoretically as an adult you have to pledge your allegiance only once.

John

Many reasons but I think one of them is the number of veterans. Also my age group was brought up to respect the flag.
I like saluting the flag at meetings. It reminds me of what it represents and the sacrifices that were made to create and maintain our country.

It serves a purpose. It reminds us about the freedom we have and the ultimate sacrifices made for that freedom. Is there a reason it shouldnt be said?

I like it for the same reasons noted by VJ and downeaster. For that matter, what purpose does singing the National Anthem serve at sports games? It's a renewal of a statement of how much we revere our country. It's a reaffirmation of solidarity in the face of so many attacks on the US and its customs and lifestyle.

I suppose if you think it serves no purpose, you could just not join in.

May not serve a purpose to you, but it does for others. Just sit or stand respectfully while others do. However, I don't know where you get the "fact" that "most" clubs do.

jcgolfs
 

Proud to have served in our Armed Forces and always proud to say the Pledge.

I do stand. From my experience I can't recall any clubs that don't. I really don't begrudge people that want to do this. And I did serve in the army.

John

As a member of the Sons of the American Revolution I can tell you that we always start with the Pledge, after our Color Guard posts the Colors. There are several other ceremonial points in our meeting related to our respect for the USA, the freedoms we enjoy as citizens, and our history. There is much more that could be said,but this is a good summary.

It will never be overkill for me. I welcome every opportunity to Pledge Allegiance to the Flag and to stand for the National Anthem. I am a proud American.

I can't imagine Any veteran ever asking that question. Everyday I am thankful for all serving and those who served and would gladly stand to pay respect for the freedom it represents God Bless America

Here is some interesting history and background of the Pledge: The Pledge of Allegiance

AMEN, brother!!!!!!

My view...........
 

If you don't like it, don't do it. I have cousins who are Jehovah's Witnesses who don't take the pledge. Muslims I know also abstain. There are probably others.

The government won't come get you if you don't join in.

Like DougB, I question your belief that "most clubs" in The Villages open their meeting with the pledge. The weekly Recreation section of the Sun has about thirty pages of clubs listed with around thirty clubs to a page. Doubt that you get around that much.

Meanwhile, a lot of us like the practice.

I wish every club would recite the pledge!

At the most recent Chicagoland Club meeting we also sang a stirring rendition of the national anthem to honor America.

Well said!:bigbow::agree::spoken:

Clubs that I belong to and some that I use to belong to start their meetings with prayer, pledge of allegiance, a moment of silence or just with a welcome. It all depends on the club or organization.

It has not escaped me that the younger generation appears more disengaged in patriotism and a few that actually mock it. I attribute it to those but its quite another not to believe this nation is exceptional because it is, and once that pride is lost well many of our global neighbors will begin to worry because America has come to their aid many times over.

God Bless America

I can, served in military for 20+ years. There was certain percentage with the attitude "not what I can do for my country, but what my country can do for me"
then there were the rejects!

Personally, I think it is nice to hear a room of adults reciting the Pledge. Of course, there are a fair number of non-Americans here, so they just stand out of respect.

I was taught the only songs you are required - as an American - to stand for are "Hail to the Chief" and The National Anthem.

I will stand for certain other patriotic songs but not all. It depends on the situation as well as the song.

I've always stood for National Anthem and Pledge of Allegience, of course. We've found that here folks stand for all of our Patriotic songs. Turns out for patriotic events, the entire program is spent standing. Sometimes that is difficult.

Did you only tell your wife you love her just once?

So much for theory.
 

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"Theoretically as an adult you have to pledge your allegiance only once."

I think dplars just blew a hole in the "theory."

I'm shocked anyone would say this especially now

When the Pledge is taken away then you will know why we say it now.

In Catholic grammar school we started the day with the pledge and prayers. It didn't occur to me as a student the benefits of this routine for the teacher until I was a teacher. In public school I had to start the class with a bunch of chatty students. It would have been so much easier to start class after a pledge or prayer when everyone is standing at attention and silent.

So I wonder if it is in place out of love and loyalty or maybe it's in place for the same reason a "preshot routine" is in place for the best golfers.

Absolutely.

When I see people who don't want to pledge the flag or sing the National Anthem, it makes me sad.

I have noticed the same.And, like Gracie, it makes me sad.

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.

The first time I had to stand for the flag and say the Pledge, I was utterly bewildered. It became part of my American routine, much like prayers in church and in any parochial school I attended. Saying the Pledge didn't make me love this great nation any more or any less. The same holds true today.

I understand where it makes sense to start a club meeting with the Pledge if it is some type of patriotic club. I'm not so sure I would want to say the Pledge for a state or game club. The same holds true for starting a meeting with a prayer -- silent or otherwise -- in a non-sectarian club. I would, of course, stand respectfully but I doubt I would participate.

Not saying the Pledge of Allegiance does not make someone less of a patriot. Not praying in public does not make someone less religious. We can love this great nation and everything it stands for quietly or shout it from the rooftops. Either way, the love and pride is still there.

God bless America! One can never be too patriotic. Power needs to be taken back from multinational corporations that have no true interest in America. Tears should come to your eyes as you recite the pledge. Death By China - the Documentary Film by Director Peter Navarro

In my mind, the Pledge is not said to "make" people love the country. The Pledge is said to affirm that they do.

I found the movie you recommended on youtube and just finished watching it. It's not a feel good movie, is it?

I don't think I said and I know I didn't mean to imply that saying the Pledge would make someone love America. What I was trying to say was that many people who do not say the Pledge are just as patriotic as those who do. To some, like the OP, it is overkill to say what is already in their hearts.

I served as a school administrator in New York City for many years. This issue was always up for debate. Our school had a large population of Muslims from Pakistan and India, as well as, both Russian immigrants and many undocumented students from Mexico. We strived to build a rapport with all communities within the school. We started each and every day with the Pledge on the loudspeaker and kindly and gently asked parents to stand if they were in the main office. It often happens, at the onset, when their students are enrolled in Kindergarten that they had no idea what they were standing for because they didn't understand what was being said. Very few times did parents refuse to stand. After one year of kindness and smiles they stood and understood that they were pledging for the futures of their own children. As an administrator, my main concern was that they showed the flag respect in the presence of students. When the Pledge was being recited all movement, everywhere in the school stopped. Students loved "freezing in their tracks" in order to salute and pledge.
In addition to the Pledge we also added the "Proud To Be An American Song" every morning. Our choir conductor worked with some children and they had opportunities to sing in the morning. It was a positive way to start the day.
Cultivating respect for the country that provides so much is essential in the development of young children. As we get older, standing and pledging provides us all a gentle reminder of this great place that has given us so much, as well as, reminds all that have served in the armed forces that we appreciate them. I'm always glad to stand!!!! :)

I would have been proud to be one of your students! Thanks for making so many aware of the freedoms we share.

It is difficult to imagine anyone who served would not willingly recite this beautiful Pledge to the Flag of our great Nation...the symbol of our freedoms here, and a tribute to the huge sacrifices of its citizens. Certainly the hundreds of thousands of Americans who gave their lives on foreign soil to preserve your right to recite the Pledge would not agree with your reluctance to do so. I thank God each time I have the honor - and privilege - to stand and salute Old Glory.

Be careful what you wish for; your children and grandchildren may someday not enjoy that privilege. God bless the United States of America!

Thank you so much! It is what made our school a decade ago in the bottom of New York City and now can boast that it is now a school in the top 1% of the city! And no... the school is not a Charter School. We educate all students.. 950 in a five block radias of the school. That is a very dense population! lol..We have been featured in the New York Times and are often asked how it was done. We often chuckle... and say "Hire two administrators on a mission and hire the best and dedicated teachers that one could imagine." We were truly blessed. Given the type of work and the hours needed I am proud to say the torch was handed over this January to younger administrators who will carry the torch allowing me to be a frog! But it is nice every once in awhile to get a call just to have someone "pick my brain" for advice. lol