Jan 13th, 2019: Bellamy Salute

[xoxoxoBruce]

Bellamy wrote the US Pledge of Allegiance and the protocol to go with it.
This isn’t promising the Moon to get some floozy naked, this is a serious, a solid oath and commitment to the flag and Republic.
So pay attention or you'll pay later when the pop quiz comes up... yes pop quiz, do you know where your brain is?
If you fail the quiz we'll tell your mother all the mischief you've been up to... even if we have to make shit up.

The original Bellamy salute, first described in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, who authored the original Pledge, began with a military salute, and after reciting the words "to the flag," the arm was extended toward the flag.

At a signal from the Principal the pupils, in ordered ranks, hands to the side, face the Flag. Another signal is given; every pupil gives the flag the military salute — right hand lifted, palm downward, to a line with the forehead and close to it. Standing thus, all repeat together, slowly, "I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands; one Nation indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all."
At the words, "to my Flag," the right hand is extended gracefully, palm upward, toward the Flag, and remains in this gesture till the end of the affirmation; whereupon all hands immediately drop to the side.
The Youth's Companion, 1892

Then they decided civilians can't salute worth a shit so the changed the protocol.

Shortly thereafter, the pledge was begun with the right hand over the heart, and after reciting "to the Flag," the arm was extended toward the Flag, palm-down.
In World War II, the salute too much resembled the Nazi salute, so it was changed to keep the right hand over the heart throughout.

Yeah, no Nazi salutes, thank you. The pledge isn't very long but in grade school it dragged on forever.

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