Narrator: We often recite the Pledge of Allegiance without really listening to or understanding the words we are saying. We will recite it now and try to explain the meaning of each word.
1st Scout: I...
Narrator: I, an individual, a committee of one.
2nd Scout: Pledge...
Narrator: Dedicate all my worldly goods to give without self-pity.
3rd Scout: Allegiance...
Narrator: My love and devotion.
4th Scout: To the flag...
Narrator: Our standard, Old Glory, a symbol of freedom, dignity, respect, and loyalty.
5th Scout: Of the United...
Narrator: United means that we are one.
6th Scout: States of America...
Narrator: States - individual communities that have united into 50 great states - 50 individual communities, with pride and dignity >
and purpose; all separated by imaginary boundaries, yet united in a common bond, love for country.
7th Scout: And to the Republic...
Narrator: Republic - a state in which sovereign power is invested in representative chosen by the people to govern, and the
government is the people; and it's from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people.
8th Scout: For which it stands...
9th Scout: One nation under God...
Narrator: Blessed by God.
10th Scout: Indivisible...
Narrator: Incapable of being divided.
11th Scout: With liberty...
Narrator: Which is freedom, the right to live one's own life without threats, or fear of some sort of revenge.
12th Scout: And justice...
Narrator: The principle or qualities of dealing fairly with others.
13th Scout: For all.
Narrator: For all, which means boys and girls, ladies and gentlemen, it's your country as much as it is mine.
Will you all please stand and repeat with me the Pledge of Allegiance.
'GATORS OPENING FLAG CEREMONY FOR PACK MEETING
SPEAKER 1:
Our country's first official flag had 13 stars and 13 stripes, one star and one stripe for each of the first 13 states. In 1795 two more states joined the union and a new flag was made having 15 stars and 15 stripes. It was this new flag, which Francis Scott Key called the "Star Spangled Banner", that was flying over Fort McHenry when the British bombarded the fort during the War of 1812. SPEAKER 2:
It was during the latter part of August, 1814, that a Dr. William Beans was captured by the British Army. Francis Scott Key, a young Baltimore lawyer, decided to go to General Ross of the British army to plead for the release of his friend. SPEAKER 3:
Going to Chesapeake Bay where the British fleet was massed, Key was kindly received by the British. General Ross consented to release Dr. Beans, but because the British were planning an attack on Fort McHenry, held the American party on the ship. SPEAKER 4:
The British fleet poured a blazing shower of shells onto the fort all through the night of September 13, 1814. Standing at the rail of the British battleship during the bombardment, Key could see from time to time, by the glare from the rockets, that the American Flag still flew over the Fort. SPEAKER 5:
It was at the moment of "the dawn's early light", with the Flag still waving triumphantly over the fort, that Francis Scott Key was inspired to write the poem that became our national anthem.
Let us now welcome our "Star Spangled Banner". Ladies and gentlemen, please stand for the flag of the United States of America.
[continue with normal opening.]
