Archive for December, 2009
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Our Nation's Godly Heritage
Wednesday, December 16th, 2009
The Pledge of Allegiance to the United States is an oath of loyalty to the republic of the United States of America, originally composed by Francis Bellamy in 1892. The Pledge has been modified four times since then, with the most recent change adding the words “under God” in 1954. The Pledge is predominantly sworn by children in public schools in response to state laws requiring the Pledge to be offered. Congressional sessions open with the swearing of the Pledge, as do government meetings at local levels, meetings held by the Boy Scouts of America, other organizations and some sporting events.
The current version of the Pledge of Allegiance reads:
“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands: one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
According to the United States Flag Code, the Pledge “should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove any non-religious headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute.”
Official versions (changes in bold)
1892
“I pledge allegiance to my flag and the republic for which it stands: one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all.”
1892 to 1923
“I pledge allegiance to my flag and to the republic for which it stands: one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all.”
1923 to 1924
“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States and to the republic for which it stands: one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all.”
1924 to 1954
“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands; one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all.”
1954 to Present
“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands: one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Posted in our nations godly heritage |
Featured Heritage Resource
Wednesday, December 16th, 2009
The American Heritage Series
Directed by John Pevoto
List Price: $79.95
Our Price: $71.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25
Product Description
Discover the forgotten story of our nation’s founding in this informative ‘interactive’ DVD series. Learn why history matters, hear the inspirational stories of our great Black Patriots and Founding Fathers, and much, much more with issues such as separation of church and state, Civil Rights Movement, our nation’s monuments and our educational system. This informative collection of 10 DVDs contains 26 episodes for a total of 12 1/2 hours of viewing information.
Posted in heritage featured resource |
This Week
Wednesday, December 16th, 2009
| [youtube width="350" height="300"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOYI5H5iCGE[/youtube] |
Posted in weekly address video |
Featured Member of the Armed Forces for Prayer
Wednesday, December 16th, 2009
General James T. Conway was born in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas and is a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University. He was commissioned in 1970 as an infantry officer. His company grade assignments included multiple platoon and company commander billets with both the 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions; Executive Officer of the Marine Detachment aboard the USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63); series and company commander at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego; aide to the Commanding General, and Director, Sea School.
As a field grade officer, he commanded two companies of officer students and taught tactics at The Basic School; he also served as operations officer for the 31st Marine Amphibious Unit to include contingency operations off Beirut, Lebanon; and as Senior Aide to the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff. Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, he was reassigned to the 2nd Marine Division as Division G-3 Operations Officer before assuming command of 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines in January 1990.
He commanded Battalion Landing Team 3/2 during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Selected for colonel, he served as the Ground Colonels’ Monitor, and as Commanding Officer of The Basic School. His general officer duties included Deputy Director of Operations, J-34, Combating Terrorism, Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.; and President, Marine Corps University at Quantico, Va. After promotion to Major General, he assumed command of the 1st Marine Division. In November 2002, Major General Conway was promoted to Lieutenant General and assumed command of the I Marine Expeditionary Force. He commanded I Marine Expeditionary Force during two combat tours in Iraq. In 2004, he was reassigned as the Director of Operations, J-3, Joint Staff, in Washington, D.C.
General Conway graduated with honors from The Basic School, the U.S. Army Infantry Officers Advanced Course, the Marine Corps Command and Staff College and the Air War College.
General Conway’s personal decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal with palm, Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two Gold Stars, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal and the Combat Action Ribbon.
Posted in armed forces prayer focus |
Featured Member of the Executive Branch for Prayer
Wednesday, December 16th, 2009
Gary Locke, Secretary of Commerce
Gary Locke was appointed by President Obama as the 36th Secretary of Commerce and sworn into office on March 26, 2009.
Locke has a distinctly American story. His grandfather emigrated from China to Washington state, initially finding employment as a servant, working in exchange for English lessons. Locke’s father was a small business owner, operating a grocery store where Locke worked while receiving his education from Seattle’s public school system.
Prior to his appointment, Locke was a partner in the Seattle office of the international law firm, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP. There, he co-chaired the firm’s China practice and was active in its governmental relations practice.
He was a two-term governor of state of Washington where he spent a great deal of effort working for international trade issues. As part of his trade and economic development efforts, Locke launched Washington’s Competitiveness Council with business, labor and civic leaders working together to position Washington State for economic development.
Locke earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Yale University and a law degree from Boston University. He is married to Mona Lee Locke. They have three children: Emily, Dylan and Madeline.
Posted in executive prayer focus |
Featured Member of the Legislative Branch for Prayer
Wednesday, December 16th, 2009
Tom A. Coburn, M.D.
Tom Coburn was elected to the U.S. Senate on November 2, 2004. Dr. Coburn and his wife, Carolyn, a former Miss Oklahoma, were married in 1968 and have three children and five grandchildren. They are members of Muskogee’s New Community Church.
Dr. Coburn’s priorities in the Senate include reducing wasteful spending, protecting liberty, balancing the budget, improving health care access and affordability, protecting the sanctity of all human life – including the unborn – and representing traditional values. As a citizen legislator, Dr. Coburn has pledged to serve no more than two terms in the Senate and to continue to care for patients. He is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Intelligence Committee, the Indian Affairs Committee and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.
As a senator, Dr. Coburn has offered more amendments than any of his colleagues. He has offered amendments to eliminate funding countless special interests. Dr. Coburn has also worked to make government more accountable and transparent.
In 1970, Dr. Coburn graduated with an accounting degree from Oklahoma State University, and again from Oklahoma Medical School in 1983. He interned in general at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Oklahoma City and family practice residency at the University of Arkansas, Fort Smith. Dr. Coburn returned to Muskogee where he specializes in family medicine, obstetrics and the treatment of allergies. Dr. Coburn has personally delivered more than 4,000 babies.
Dr. Coburn also is a two-time cancer survivor.
Posted in legislative prayer focus |
Presidential Quote Of The Week
Wednesday, December 16th, 2009
“From this day forward, the millions of our school children will daily proclaim in every city and town, every village and rural schoolhouse, the dedication of our Nation and our people to the Almighty.”
President Eisenhower (1954) after signing into law a bill to have “under God” added to the original pledge.
Posted in presidential quote of the week |
President Obama Lights the National Christmas Tree
Wednesday, December 16th, 2009
Posted in Special Event Comments |