I remember, very well, being in school and in the Boy scouts - pledging allegiance to our flag and to the nation for which it stands. When the time came that it was said people didn't have to say the pledge - it just made me sick. It was a common denominator that glued us all together and made us proud, and helped us understand the sacrifice that was necessary to give us the freedoms that we so much take for granted, today. At least, those rights that we still have left. It's very sad to be born in such a great time - only to see how horribly it has degraded in these current times. It makes me sick, but deep in our souls still remains the possibility that it will all come back, and our patriotism will grow until we, as a nation, will feel-once again-  that glow of national pride and freedom! I believe it can happen!