Do You Stand And Pledge...

[DANCINGEAGLE]

Has anybody thought to ask a veteran for his opinion or what goes through his mind about this subject?

With me being a veteran, I do stand and pledge. I feel that I owe it to those that have paved the way before me by giving their lives for my freedom, those that I served with, and those that have come after me.

However, I also feel that by my serving in the Marine Corps, I have defended the constitution so that everyone can have the freedom to choose whether they want to pledge to the flag or not. It's not about being right or wrong, but about freedom of choice. Do I agree with everything that I see going on? The answer is no but I defended this country for everyone to have the freedom of choice.

Red- for the blood that was shed by those who gave their lives for our freedom.

White- for the sands of many beaches that were stormed upon and for the purity of spirit for those who died for our freedom.

Blue- for the waters that were crossed for the many wars that were fought.

[2cuteUTE]

I will stand; for the pledge of allegiance, I do not put my hand over my heart, or repeat it's words. I will stand; for christians giving a prayer-at request, I do not pray their way. Just as I would expect them to stand at a powwow or native gathering or ceremony, it is out of respect for the people I'am surrounded by that I give them the respect I expect.

The way I see it, any prayer is a good prayer.

On the subject at hand, I will stand for any veteran, at a powwow, a parade, any event or non-event for that matter.

[lakota_mami303]

just like a few others have already said, i stand for only prayers, honor songz....etc. At that time, the way i was raised and the way alot of us were raised is during a prayer or honor song or ne kind of ceremony u give your total focus on whats going on...no talkin, no giggling.....jus being respectful. But as for the national anthem or pledge of alligiance thats not really my thing and i dont really believe in it.....

[Camp7Kiowa]

So what do you stand for???? I stand for the United States of America. Where else would you live and have so much wealth and prosperity? I am sure we Americans are eating and sleeping much better than most countries.

Many Native American men and women fought in conflicts and died for their people. There were Native American World War I vets that weren't even American citizens but went off to war for this present generation. Lets remember them when we pledge and stand for the national anthem.

[La + * Mom]

Just FYI...thought this was cute...
The following words were spoken by the late Red Skelton...

I

(me, an individual, a committee of one.)

Pledge

(dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self pity.)

Allegiance

(my love and my devotion.)

To the flag

(our standard, Old Glory, a symbol of freedom. Wherever
she waves, there's respect because your loyalty has given
her a dignity that shouts freedom is everybody's job!)

[of the] United

(that means that we have all come together.)

States [of America]

(individual communities that have united into 48 great states.
Forty-eight individual communities with pride and dignity and
purpose; all divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to
a common purpose, and that's love for country.)

And to the 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

(one nation, meaning "so blessed by God")

Indivisible

(incapable of being divided.)

With liberty

(which is freedom -- the right of power to live one's
own life without threats, fear or some sort of retaliation.)

And Justice

(the principle or quality of dealing fairly with others.)

For all

(which means, boys and girls, it's as much your country as it is mine.)

[Furiously-Fancy]

Opening Exercises in a Native American 5th grade Classroom

As part of our opening exercises we pledge allegiance in the English language then in Shoshone. We often discuss the words and what they mean and exactly what we should be thinking about as we pledge.

We stand and place our hands over our hearts as a sign of respect and gratitude to the veterans of the US armed forces, as well as our forefathers who fought to protect our land, rights, freedoms and privileges. We demonstrate our gratitude to the Creator for blessing and protecting our land full of wild game and natural resources.

Time is also taken to discuss why some people do not pledge allegiance. As the teacher I put all the facts out on the table through assignments given to the students in visual presentations (i.e. posters & power point) as well as speech & debate. My students know that our people were not U.S. citizens in their own land until 1924. They also know that we were not legally allowed to practice our religion through song, dance & ceremony until 1978.

The students in my 5th grade classroom are allowed the freedom and the right to choose whether to stand and pledge the flag of the United States of America or not to. All of my students---representing the Shoshone, Arapaho, Crow, Lakota, Cheyenne, Paiute, Isleta Pueblo and Kiowa-----stand proudly every morning and honorably recite the pledge of allegiance.

[AngelFeather]

As part of our opening exercises we pledge allegiance in the English language then in Shoshone. We often discuss the words and what they mean and exactly what we should be thinking about as we pledge.

We stand and place our hands over our hearts as a sign of respect and gratitude to the veterans of the US armed forces, as well as our forefathers who fought to protect our land, rights, freedoms and privileges. We demonstrate our gratitude to the Creator for blessing and protecting our land full of wild game and natural resources.

Time is also taken to discuss why some people do not pledge allegiance. As the teacher I put all the facts out on the table through assignments given to the students in visual presentations (i.e. posters & power point) as well as speech & debate. My students know that our people were not U.S. citizens in their own land until 1924. They also know that we were not legally allowed to practice our religion through song, dance & ceremony until 1978.

The students in my 5th grade classroom are allowed the freedom and the right to choose whether to stand and pledge the flag of the United States of America or not to. All of my students---representing the Shoshone, Arapaho, Crow, Lakota, Cheyenne, Paiute, Isleta Pueblo and Kiowa-----stand proudly every morning and honorably recite the pledge of allegiance.

Awesome FF... youre a great teacher... and we need more like you to teach our youngins... teacher that take the time to care and take the time to get the facts straight not only teach outa of a book usually written by a white man.. Im glad that you inccoperate your peoples ways into your teaching and Im sure youre one of the fav teahers at your school.
Awesome and keep up the good work!!!

[peacemaker]

pledge

i stand for the pledge but i stand quietly and respectfully. as a rule, i believe that in order to expect respect from those who do not understand/agree with you, you need to show that respect and hopefully when the time comes, they'll return the favor. i also used to say the pledge as a child and stopped in 7th grade when i realized what i was saying/doing. and yes, i stand up for those who've served in past wars. they gave up something of themselves by serving. whether i agree with war or not, they deserve respect.

[Joe G]

As part of our opening exercises we pledge allegiance in the English language then in Shoshone. We often discuss the words and what they mean and exactly what we should be thinking about as we pledge.

We stand and place our hands over our hearts as a sign of respect and gratitude to the veterans of the US armed forces, as well as our forefathers who fought to protect our land, rights, freedoms and privileges. We demonstrate our gratitude to the Creator for blessing and protecting our land full of wild game and natural resources.

Time is also taken to discuss why some people do not pledge allegiance. As the teacher I put all the facts out on the table through assignments given to the students in visual presentations (i.e. posters & power point) as well as speech & debate. My students know that our people were not U.S. citizens in their own land until 1924. They also know that we were not legally allowed to practice our religion through song, dance & ceremony until 1978.

The students in my 5th grade classroom are allowed the freedom and the right to choose whether to stand and pledge the flag of the United States of America or not to. All of my students---representing the Shoshone, Arapaho, Crow, Lakota, Cheyenne, Paiute, Isleta Pueblo and Kiowa-----stand proudly every morning and honorably recite the pledge of allegiance.

That's great G...your'e a good man! wish there were LOTS more teachers (all races,creeds, etc..) like you! History should be taught from ALL perspectives....not just the so called 'victors'...but all facts, good and bad....

[*Brown Eyed Gurl*]

I hafta agree wiff C and AF....Those kids are gonna remember u forever.

[Joe's Dad]

As part of our opening exercises we pledge allegiance in the English language then in Shoshone. We often discuss the words and what they mean and exactly what we should be thinking about as we pledge.

We stand and place our hands over our hearts as a sign of respect and gratitude to the veterans of the US armed forces, as well as our forefathers who fought to protect our land, rights, freedoms and privileges. We demonstrate our gratitude to the Creator for blessing and protecting our land full of wild game and natural resources.

Time is also taken to discuss why some people do not pledge allegiance. As the teacher I put all the facts out on the table through assignments given to the students in visual presentations (i.e. posters & power point) as well as speech & debate. My students know that our people were not U.S. citizens in their own land until 1924. They also know that we were not legally allowed to practice our religion through song, dance & ceremony until 1978.

The students in my 5th grade classroom are allowed the freedom and the right to choose whether to stand and pledge the flag of the United States of America or not to. All of my students---representing the Shoshone, Arapaho, Crow, Lakota, Cheyenne, Paiute, Isleta Pueblo and Kiowa-----stand proudly every morning and honorably recite the pledge of allegiance.

FF - Reading this made me feel good.

Now how do you change the 'Civil Liberties' to allow you to pray in your own way.

[Wepunkwteme]

You know, I was thinking about that last night after I had started the thread...yes, I do stand at pow wows for the veteran's honor song and of course, grand entry....it struck me as odd when I realized that last night. I guess I just had tunnel vision as to the american flag & pledge of allegience. In grade school I watched as one of traditionals (who was raised not even to rise for the pledge) was grabbed by her ears by our male teacher and dragged right out of the classroom for refusing to stand. Later in life, I was at a nascar race one night and was coming up the stairs carrying hot coffee & munchies while the national anthem was being played...some ole redneck grabbed me by the shoulder and started shouting 'don't you have any respect...you are supposed to be standing at attention while this song is being played." With hot coffee streaming down my arm, I was just so flabbergasted...to think that there was such anomousity out there...OMG! that's kinda when my personal realization and general attitude to this matter began. But, yeah, standing to show honor and respect to the native american vets is totally legit.

As an American Indian Veteren, I stand to honor others at Grand Entries.
But I do not stand to honor the flag or the U.S.
I like many others who grew up poor were preyed upon by U.S.Armed Forces.
Because they knew we had limilited choices.
I became a soldier and stayed one for 8 years.
I'm a combat vet, so I will always show respect to others who have put themselves in harms way and have served as a "warrior".
But I will not pledge allegiance to a flag or country that has been the cause of so much pain for mine and other NDN peoples.

[peacemaker]

As an American Indian Veteren, I stand to honor others at Grand Entries.
But I do not stand to honor the flag or the U.S.
I like many others who grew up poor were preyed upon by U.S.Armed Forces.
Because they knew we had limilited choices.
I became a soldier and stayed one for 8 years.
I'm a combat vet, so I will always show respect to others who have put themselves in harms way and have served as a "warrior".
But I will not pledge allegiance to a flag or country that has been the cause of so much pain for mine and other NDN peoples.

well, you've given me a new perspective on the issue. thank you.

[Homalosa]

Playing devil's advocate here:

Do you stand and honor vets during a veteran's song at a pow wow?

I haven't said the pledge of allegiance since the seventh grade. This puts me in a weird position because I'm school teacher. So what I do instead is I will stand out of respect and begin for students, but I don't complete it.

As for vets, I stand for them and their sacrifice, not for the flag. I have always been somewhat at odds with the military and natives involvement with it. Still, I honor and respect them for making the decision to keep us and the land safe.

[TM33]

I do stand both during the plege and for our vets. I was always taught to respect others. Just like what wocuswoman said "I give them the respect I expect". That's my same feelings on this topic. I believe that we shouldn't forget the past but that's the key word PAST. If were going to continue living with other races and religions then we have to work on what's going to happen in the future. That's where were at right now. Make sure to care for our race, our culture, and our religion. That's what's really dying here. Why dwell on what happend back then, All of our efforts should be going toward our FUTURE in this world.