TO MY READERS OF PAULMUSES.COM WHO WONDER WHAT’S UP WITH THIS, ALL THESE STORIES THE PAST TWO DAYS. THEY’VE BEEN WRITTEN OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS AND APPEARED ON MEDIUM. YESTERDAY, I MOVED A BUNCH TO MY BLOG SITE.

THIS ONE WAS WRITTEN SIX DAYS AGO. MY FAVORITE COMMENT WAS THIS ONE.

As a veteran, I love this post. I love protest. I would do the same. Thank you for sharing this.

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On this National Holiday honoring veterans, the waiter served our meals wearing a red apron over his khaki dress uniform, spit-shined black dress shoes, and three lines of ribbons on his shirt pocket.

It was a Rotary Tuesday lunch at VFW Post 1977 in my hometown.

After barbecue pork sandwiches, the club president asked veterans to stand, and 11 did out of the 30 in attendance. When the applause concluded, the rest of us stood and joined them in facing the American flag.

A couple of others and I removed our caps. Most put their hands on their hearts, and then we recited.

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.

My right hand stayed at my side; I did not utter the words ‘under God.‘

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Mine was a silent protest of two parts of this civic ritual. My reasons remain private, a right as an American, protected by those who have given their lives, whom I honored with my gentle dissent.