“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.” These are words I recite every day with honor and pride, but what do these words mean to us as Americans? Have you ever thought about your personal promise to America?
         In 1892, a Baptist minister named Francis Bellamy sat down and made his vow to America, “The Pledge of Allegiance.” This was obviously a very patriotic man. For years his pledge was handed down and was well known.
         Everyone has their own pledge to America, and mine will now be heard. I believe that to show my patriotism, respect, and pride toward America and all its citizens would be my pledge in action.
         How will I do this, you ask? My patriotism is being shown right now in this essay. I am telling you of my love and devotion to my country. I will show respect to all veterans and war officers who fought for me so I could be free. They paid the price. I have pride for my country. I am not afraid to say that I’m proud to be an American. This is a place where I know I’m free.
         “I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something.” These words were quoted by Helen Keller. Her words describe my feelings very well. I will do something by showing my pride and respect. We should never have greed in our hearts. Greed can do nothing, but our faith can move a mountain. I will have faith in America.
         I will be the best I can in my country and never let it down. I promise to be faithful to America and all the people that it stands for. I will help us as a nation so we can be a team. I will always stay by our country’s side and never depart from it. We stands united, but divided we fall. I will help the weak, and fight until my battle is won. Everyone who lives in America is equal. We are all as one family. I will be all that I can as an American, and keep my country together. I can
make that difference.

MY PLEDGE TO AMERICA
By Aimee Carpenter, 8th grade

         “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.” Many people say this phrase every day. To me it is more than a phrase that we recite. What do we really mean when we say this? I want to express honor, faith, and loyalty when I say the pledge.
         Honor--that is something the pledge represents. We should all honor our veterans who gave up their lives for us. Honor should go to everyone who walked onto battlefields not for freedom but for an idea that one day people might be free.
         Recognition should go to all the families, children, wives, mothers, brothers, sisters, and friends who gave up loved ones knowing they might not survive but they would matter. Honor is not easily given, and anyone who will go onto a battlefield and fight for what they believe in deserves our recognition. I pledge to always believe in our country, flag, and veterans of our country.
         I put my faith in the United States of America. I believe and trust that we will get through a tough time and we will rise again. If someone asked me why I have so much faith I would tell them, ”If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can move mountains,” Matthew 17:20. I will always believe that God will take care of this country. I know He will and that is where I put my faith. If everyone had this much faith we would be able to do much more.
         Lastly, I pledge to be loyal to our country and the people in it. If we were all as loyal to our country as we say we are when we say the pledge, we would be a much happier country. I will always stand up for my country and will use all my power to protect my homeland.  Under any circumstances I will stand up for our country and what it means. As my class walked through the Armed Forces Museum at Camp Shelby, Mississippi,  I saw evidence of how many people
were loyal to our flag, country, and how they had faith that they would contribute to the United States of America.
         These are my pledges to America: to honor, be loyal, and have faith in our country. But, especially what I will always pledge is to love our country.

        Tears started growing in my eyes as I gently pressed my fingers against the horrifying pictures of World War II. I felt the people’s pain in these pictures. I asked myself, “What’s keeping us from experiencing this hurt today?” I looked around and found my answer.
         Standing in a worn shirt with a faded collar and threadbare cuffs was an elderly man talking to a crowd. He was a veteran of Pearl Harbor. This man and many others like him have helped us to have a free country. I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me for this gentleman. As I listened to him speak of the horrific attack on Pearl Harbor, I realized all that he had seen and gone through. He experienced firsthand the terrors of that day. Every veteran deserves our undying gratitude and respect.
         My pledge to America is to honor veterans with admiration and regard. I promise to do my best to take care of the many veterans alone in the world today. At my school, I am the president of the Junior High Beta Club; a community service organization. It is my choice and duty to tend to the needs of veterans in the elderly homes in my area. I pledge to visit these veterans, listen to their words of wisdom, and try to meet some of their needs.
         Most importantly, I pledge to never forget what these veterans have done for me and my country. Veterans are the foundation on which we have built this country. Veterans will always remember what they went through and the friends they lost in battle. It would be unfair and unjust for us to forget what they have done. Because of their sacrifices we live in a free country. They paid for our liberty in sweat and blood.
         Like Abraham Lincoln once said, “ Honor to the soldier and sailor everywhere who bravely defends his country’s cause. Honor also to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field and serves as best he can the same cause.”
         My  pledge is to be that citizen and to do the best I can for that cause. Just like the veteran from World War II, I will stand up for my country and its people in the best way I can.

My Pledge To America
By:Audra Miller, 8th grade

         “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,” wrote Francis Bellamy, the Baptist minister, in 1892. Everyone knows this pledge to America. Students say it every day in school. However, does everyone know what this pledge really means? Does everyone give this pledge to America?
         Everyone doesn’t give this exact pledge, but they can give a pledge of their own. Some of the things I pledge to our country are loyalty, commitment, and respect. LTC Ted McDonald, my granddaddy, is a veteran of the Vietnam War. He had to give, or have, many things to survive, such as dedication, intelligence, knowledge, and he had to be well trained. Without these things and more, it would have been very difficult for  him to survive. I plan to work hard on doing what I pledge to our country.
         Loyalty is the first thing I pledge to America. To me, loyalty is staying together with your country no matter what happens. During the September 11th attacks the terrorists didn’t believe that our country had enough loyalty. They thought that we would divide and go our separate ways. Instead we grew stronger as a nation, as a country.
         Another thing I pledge to America is commitment. To have the commitment I want, I must stand up for our country and my rights. Many times, if someone tries to put down our country, some people would just let it go. Other people, such as my granddaddy, will stand up for what was given to us.
         The last, most important thing I pledge to America is respect. Whenever our 8th grade class visited Camp Shelby, we gave respect not only for the people and things there, but for those veterans who fought in wars for us. When I was walking through the museum, I was wondering how terrible it must have been for those who went to war. Giving respect to every single one of the veterans is one thing that everyone should do.
          Loyalty, commitment, and respect are just three things I pledge to America. Many more things are pledged by many more people. As Thomas Jefferson states in the Declaration of  Independence, “... with a firm reliance on the protection of  divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”

 My Pledge to America
By: Christopher Ray, 8th grade

         While touring the Armed Forces Museum, I came upon the World War I and World War II exhibits.  According to the Department of Defense, some 519,915 American soldiers died in those wars alone. I asked myself, “Would I be willing to die for my country?” With that question in mind, I thought about my pledge to America.
         The United States of America has been my home for almost fourteen years. Yet, what have I done for my country?
         I vow to keep my home where my heart is, here in the United States. I will help keep my home, the United States of America, the most beautiful place in the world.
         I promise to serve my country in war times and in times of peace.  I feel that fighting in battle is the most honorable thing a person can do for their country.  Many of my relatives served in the military.  I believe that our veterans are the most important people in society. They hold the real stories of war. They are an open history book for us to learn from.
         I will support my country in any way needed, physical, emotional, or financial. Whatever, I own I owe to my country.  For without the men in the past that gave their all, we would not have the freedoms and prosperity which are bestowed on us today.
         I promise to fulfill by duty to vote. Voting is one of the most important rights we have.  It is the privilege that makes us an advocating democracy.
         I pledge to honor my country and all that represents it. I will also encourage others to do the same, on the battlefield, the flag was never dropped. If the flag bearer was shot or injured, someone grabbed the flag before it touched the ground and continued on. This same kind of respect I give my flag.
         This is my pledge to my country. I promise these things to my nation, my home. Now I ask you, What is your pledge?
 
 

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