Just recently, someone, I believe it may been David Upton, posted a statement that the "Pledge of Allegiance" was modeled after the Oath of Allegiance taken by many Confederate soldiers at the end of the war or as a condition of release from a POW camp.

Okay, here's my question. Does anyone know why we pledge allegiance to "the flag"? Why don't we pledge allegiance to the United States or the Constitution or to our fellow Americans? Yes, I know it includes the words "... and to the Republic for which it stands", but why then not just pledge to the Republic. I honor the flag, my flag, above all others, but my allegiance is to the Constitution of the United States.

I have some thoughts about why "the flag" is so important in the pledge, but I wanted to hear from anyone who knew more of the history.

Jim