Did you stand and say the Pledge of Allegiance this morning? Maybe you stood to honor your country and those who fight for our freedom, or maybe you sat in protest or talked through it because it doesn’t mean anything to you. No matter what you did, when the Pledge came on the announcements, you made a choice. It is time to reflect upon that choice.

While some people may have a valid reason for not respecting the Pledge of Allegiance like it being against their religion, for example, most do not. While this may seem harsh, the truth is, not respecting the Pledge by at least keeping quiet while others recite it, reveals that you are just being lazy and ill-mannered.

Most people would agree that the purpose of saying the Pledge of Allegiance each day is to show patriotism and respect for our country. Does this mean that you have to agree with everything that your country does? Not necessarily. What it means is that you have pride, respect, and love for your country – even if you feel that it is a less than perfect place. We are all fortunate to live in a nation that allows us many freedoms and opportunities. While we might not all agree on everything that happens in our country, we should all agree that our quality of life in the United States is much higher than that in many other parts of the world. We, then, should be thankful for what we have in our lives, and one of the primary reasons we have them is the nation in which we live.

While free time is scarce in our lives, and each of us tries to take advantage of every free moment, the time allotted the Pledge of Allegiance is not that time. The Pledge is only 31 words and takes less than 15 seconds to recite. For many people, the time that they say the pledge is sacred. It is an opportunity to express their respect and patriotism for their country; this is especially true for those who are in or have family in the military. Even if you don’t agree with the ideals in the Pledge, you can at least acknowledge that it is a time for others to express their positive feelings toward the country, and, as such, you should show them respect by not talking while they do so. If talking during the Pledge is considered a form of protest, individuals should find a more appropriate time to demonstrate their beliefs than during a time when others are already demonstrating theirs.

Respect. That’s what it is all about. Respect your freedoms, respect your country and respect others. Say the Pledge or don’t say it; it is your decision, but whatever you decide, please be respectful – and please be quiet.