By Betsy Finklea
Citizen Dan Gruszka appeared before the Dillon County Council at their last meeting to request that the council start saying the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of each meeting.
Gruszka presented the council with an explanation of the Pledge of Allegiance as told to Red Skelton by one of his grade school teachers. It reads as follows:
Pledge of Allegiance
“I – me, an individual a committee of one
Pledge – dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self pity
Allegiance – my love and devotion
To The Flag – “Old Glory” – a symbol of courage. And where ever she waves, there is respect, because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts “Freedom is everybody’s job.”
Of The United – that means we all have come together
States – individual communities with pride, dignity and purpose – all divided by imaginary boundaries, yet united by a common cause and that is love of country
Of America
And To The Republic – a republic, a sovereign state in which power is invested into the representatives 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
For Which It Stands
Indivisible – incapable of being divided
With Liberty – which is freedom, the right of power for one to live his own life without fears, threats, or any sort of retaliation
And Justice – the principle and qualities of dealing fairly with others
For All –that means boys and girls, it’s as much your country as it is mine.”
Councilman Archie Scott asked Gruszka if he or this was reversing the traditional pledge of allegiance or if this was the same.
Gruszka said it was the way the pledge was explained by a teacher to Red Skelton. He then continued his remarks.
Gruszka said it took over a year to get the flags in the council chambers, but it was taking longer to get the pledge. He said he started about four years ago to include the pledge in the meetings. He said some gave lame excuses about why not to include the pledge. He said he thinks it is time for Americans to view the pledge and the flag as symbols of freedom in the United States and the world.
Gruszka said his parents fostered a love for this country in him. He said they were immigrants to the U.S. with an eighth grade education. He said his father’s two proudest moments as an American were when he joined the Marine Corps and when he graduated college due to the G.I. Bill. He said his father refused to speak his native language outside of their home and chastised others who did not learn the language here. He said if an immigrant can show this kind of love and respect for the symbols of this country why can’t others born in America do the same. He asked that the pledge be an important part of these meetings.
Scott said he was confused. He asked what happened to one nation under God and liberty and justice for all. What happened to that, he asked.
Councilman Stevie Grice said he was all for saying the Pledge of Allegiance, but he was for the traditional Pledge of Allegiance – one nation under God. “That’s what I’m for,” he said. Grice said that he had no problem saying it at every meeting.
Councilman Harold Moody made a motion to say the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of every meeting. Chairman T.F. “Buzzy” Finklea, Jr., said he thought it was a good idea. Scott asked if the motion was for the traditional Pledge of Allegiance. Moody said yes. Grice seconded the motion. Scott said he “third-ed” the motion. It passed unanimously.