Who’s Your Hero?

When I was a young boy, I always watched “The Red Skelton Show.”

While I’m sure that most of you baby boomers know who I am talking about, it’s probably fair to say that today’s youth have no idea who he is.

In the early 1990’s I was blessed with the opportunity to see Red perform at the Holiday Star Theater in Merrillville, Indiana. WOW!

He was fantastic! He was funny, and he captured the hearts of the entire audience. I will never forget the impact that he had on my life.

He was born in Vincennes, Indiana and later in his life was given the honor of being a 33rd Degree Mason. He closed his shows by thanking people for allowing him to come into their living rooms and by always saying “May God Bless.”

On January 14, 1969, he delivered to his television audience, “The Little Old Man”. It has probably become one of the most inspirational performances of his lifetime.

The time was 1923. The students had finished reciting the Pledge of Allegiance which at the time Red was 10 years old. The old sage of teacher named Mr. Laswell, called the children together and said…

“Boys and girls, I have been listening to you recite the Pledge of Allegiance all semester and it appears that it has become monotonous to you or could it be you do not know the meaning of those words. If I may, I would like to recite the Pledge and give to you a definition of the words.

I覧meaning me, an individual, a committee of one.

Pledge覧dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self pity.

Allegiance覧my love and my devotion.

To the Flag覧our standard, Old Glory, a symbol of freedom. Wherever she waves, there is respect because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts freedom is everybody’s job.

Of the United覧that means that we have all come together.

States覧individual communities that have united into 48 great states. 48 individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose, all divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common cause, and that’s love of country.

Of America.

And to the Republic覧a republic, a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people and it’s from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people.

For which it stands!

One nation覧meaning, so blessed by God.

Indivisible覧incapable of being divided.

With Liberty覧which is freedom and the right of power to live one’s life without threats or fear or any sort of retaliation.

And justice覧The principle and quality of dealing fairly with others.

For all.覧which means, boys and girls, it’s as much your country as it is mine.”

Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our nation, and two words have been added to the Pledge of Allegiance “under God.” Wouldn’t it be a pity if someone said, “That’s a prayer” and that would be eliminated from schools, too?

I truly believe that if Mr. Skelton was alive to today that he would weep. I believe that he would fall to his knees and ask our leaders “What have you done” Here we are over 40 years later and a man that made his living as a clown realized where we were headed. The time has come for us to take back America! Thank you for reading “My Opinion” and Happy Independence Day!

May God Bless…

Ron Phillips