The Meaning of the Pledge

This article was sent to us by Natalie S., an eighth grader stationed in Texas. Do you have a story to share with your fellow military teens? Visit our writing page to find out how you can submit to Bloom!

We’ve all pledged to the American flag, whether it was in class, at home, at a sporting event, and more. I’ve often noticed that military-affiliated people take the pledge very seriously. However, a lot of people don’t seem to understand why we are so serious about the pledge.

I take the Pledge of Allegiance seriously, because I recognize all of the blood, sweat, tears, and pain it took to defend that flag. Some military teens have dealt with the unbearable pain of losing someone who fought for freedom, and others have come close to losing someone (including myself). Some individuals have not lost anyone in battle, but still understand the sacrifice behind those stars and stripes.

At my school every Wednesday morning, a faculty member comes on the PA system and recites the pledges (the Texas Pledge and The Pledge of Allegiance). In my class, I’m one of the few students who take the pledges seriously - the other kids typically sit on the floor talking, laughing, or remain sitting at their desks while working on their computers.

One day in my science class, we were doing a debate when the PA system came on. I set everything down and put my hand over my heart. Suddenly, for no obvious reason, my teacher grabbed a chair, stood on it, and turned the speaker off in the middle of the pledge. I felt my face getting hot, and my teacher looked at me and said, “Don’t worry, we’ll do them later.”

I stayed standing until I finished saying the pledge.

My teacher had no idea how significant that saying the Pledge of Allegiance was for me. I started thinking to myself, “Yeah, I’m sorry that my parents almost died trying to protect you. Maybe if you were in the situations that they were then you would’ve kept the speaker on!” Then, I realized that it’s okay to be upset when something like that happens, but you can’t take it out on others because they just don’t understand.

With people like my teacher, someone who doesn’t fully understand what is important to you, I discovered the quality of patience. No one can force another to see something in the same way. In regards to the military, civilians likely don’t understand the meaning of true sacrifice; they likely haven’t traveled from country to country; they likely haven’t lost someone special to them in battle; they likely haven’t seen their parents get hurt so bad that they can’t run and play anymore.

In the case where someone doesn’t understand, try to be understanding with them. I know it can hurt when people don’t take something as seriously as you do, but use that opportunity to explain your perspective. It is possible that the other person will change their mindset and understand the meaning of the pledge.