Many Americans may be unaware that their state has an official pledge to the state flag. Seventeen states across the nation possess official state flag pledges, separate from the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. Below is a list of those states and their respective pledges.
Saying these state pledges is hardly an everyday occurrence, so don't be surprised if you don't know the Texas pledge after a lifetime spent as a Texan.
Do you know if your state has an official pledge? If so, can you recite it word-for-word? Put your right hand over your heart and see how well you know your state's pledge.
Alabama
"Flag of Alabama I salute thee. To thee I pledge my allegiance, my service, and my life."
Arkansas
"I Salute the Arkansas Flag With Its Diamond and Stars. We Pledge Our Loyalty to Thee."
Georgia
"I pledge allegiance to the Georgia flag and to the principles for which it stands; Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation."
Kentucky
"I pledge allegiance to the Kentucky flag, and to the Sovereign State for which it stands, one Commonwealth, blessed with diversity, natural wealth, beauty, and grace from on High."
Louisiana
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the state of Louisiana and to the motto for which it stands: A state, under god, united in purpose and ideals, confident that justice shall prevail for all of those abiding here."
Michigan
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of Michigan, and to the state for which it stands, two beautiful peninsulas united by a bridge of steel, where equal opportunity and justice to all is our ideal."
Mississippi
"I salute the flag of Mississippi and the sovereign state for which it stands with pride in her history and achievements and with confidence in her future under the guidance of Almighty God."
New Mexico
"I salute the flag of the State of New Mexico and the Zia symbol of perfect friendship among united cultures."
North Carolina
"I salute the flag of North Carolina and pledge to the Old North State love, loyalty, and faith."
Ohio
"I salute the flag of the state of Ohio and pledge to the Buckeye State respect and loyalty."
Oklahoma
"I salute the flag of the State of Oklahoma. Its symbols of peace unite all people."
Rhode Island
"I pledge allegiance to our State Flag, and to the Republic of which Rhode Island forms a part; one Union inseparable, with honor and reverence for both State and Nation."
South Carolina
"I salute the flag of South Carolina and pledge to the Palmetto State love, loyalty and faith."
South Dakota
"I pledge loyalty and support to the flag and State of South Dakota, land of sunshine, land of infinite variety."
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Tennessee
"Flag of Tennessee, I salute thee. To thee I pledge my allegiance with my affection, my service and my life."
Texas
"Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible."
Virginia
"I salute the flag of Virginia, with reverence and patriotic devotion to the 'Mother of States and Statesmen,' which it represents—the 'Old Dominion,' where liberty and independence were born."
This story originally ran on Feb. 22, 2016.
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