With the tragedy of 9/11 behind us, and Veterans Day on the way, the nation’s hearts are on fire. The average high school student can testify that there is at least one person in their class who does not say the pledge; some don’t even stand.

“The Pledge of Allegiance” stands for freedom. The flag stands for the fallen soldiers. When you say “The Pledge of Allegiance” you are agreeing to the freedoms you attain. Freedoms you obtained from the many who have fallen before you.

Many have given the ultimate sacrifice so that each individual in the United States of America, regardless of that individual’s legal status of citizenship, could have the right and freedom to speak freely about their views and beliefs. Thirty seconds is the average time the pledge takes. In thirty seconds a soldier can take their last breaths as his or her life flashes past. What is the argument against standing for 30 seconds?

“I don’t think many kids understand what they’re saying,” history teacher Mark Heintz said.

The pledge merely voices what the flag represents. The flag represents our country in all its diversity. Our right to choose what we say. How would you feel if you weren’t allowed to speak anymore?

People are confusing what the pledge stands for with todays media. The pledge is you promising loyalty to this country. It does not state one’s political stance nor does it dictate one’s religious beliefs. “One Nation” means all of  us, immigrant or not, religious or not, together as one.

If still you feel as you cannot be bothered to say the pledge in all its thirty seconds of glory, please stand. Stand for the fallen, stand for the brave, stand out of respect. I’m not asking you to state the pledge because you have to.

You do not have to say the pledge because you were given the freedom to chose what you say. This great freedom was not free. It was not an accident nor a hidden clause.

What’s worse is the fact that most students don’t stand, or the fact that most are forced to stand. Teachers, students and soldiers find it upsetting that other students don’t understand the symbology of the pledge.

“I do find it disrespectful to not at a minimum stand and stop what you are doing while others cite the pledge of allegiance,” SSgt Kuchar III Joseph F United States Marine Corps said.

by Dennise Kuchar