A Soldiers Story
A Deck Of Cards
While you listen to this story keep in mind why we should keep God in the pledge of allegience
Please be patient. This page is graphically heavy. Wait for the wav file to load (worth the wait).This story is also well known in the form of a song, called "Deck of Cards", which has been performed by many people (Tex Ritter and Ernest Tubb, among others) but is narrated by singer Wink Martindale.


The North African Campaign

During the North African Campaign a bunch of soldier boys had been on a long hike, and they arrived in a little town called Casino.  The next morning being Sunday, several of the boys went to church.  A Sargent commanded the boys in church and after the Chaplain had read the prayer, the text was taken up next.

Those of the boys who had a Prayer Book took them out.  But this one boy had only a deck of cards, and so he spread them out.

The Sargent saw the cards and said, "Soldier put away those cards!"

After the services were over the soldier was taken prisoner and brought before the Provost Marshall.  The Marshall said, "Sargent, why have you brought this man here?"

"For playing cards in church, Sir."

"And what do you have to say for yourself, son?"

"Much Sir," replied the soldier.

The Marshall said, "I hope so, for if not I shall punish you more than any man was ever punished."

The soldier said, "Sir, I have been on the march for about six days.  I have neither Bible nor Prayer Book, but I hope to satisfy you, Sir, with the purity of my intention.

And with that the boy started his story ...

  You see Sir, when I look at the "ACE", it reminds me that there is but one God;


And the "DEUCE" reminds me that the Bible is divided into two parts; The Old and The New Testaments;
Lost But Not Forgotten

  And when I see the "TREY", I think of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost;  


    And when I see the "FOUR", I think of the four evangelists who preached the Gospel. There was Matthew, Mark, Luke and John;


  And when I see the "FIVE", it reminds me of the five wise virgins who trimmed their lamps.  There were ten of them, five were wise and were saved.  Five were foolish and were shut out;  


WW11 Iwo Jima  Korean Memorial   Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier  


    And when I see the "SIX", it reminds me that in six days, God made this great heaven and earth;


  When I see the "SEVEN", it reminds me that on the seventh day, God rested from His great work;  



Vietnam Memorial for Women

  And when I see the "EIGHT", I think of the eight righteous persons God saved when He destroyed this earth.  There was Noah, his wife, their sons and their wives;  


   And when I see the "NINE", I think of the lepers our Saviour cleansed.  And nine out of the ten didn't even thank Him.


 When I see the "TEN", I think of the Ten Commandments God handed down to Moses on a table of stone;  


   When I see the "KING", it reminds me that there is but one King of Heaven, God Almighty;
 And when I see the "QUEEN", I think of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is Queen of Heaven;  


And the "JACK" or "KNAVE" is the Devil;

When I count the number of spots on a deck of cards,
I find 365, the number of days in a year;
There are 52 cards, the number of weeks in a year;
There are 4 suits, the number of weeks in a month;
There are 12 picture cards, the number of months in a year;
There are 13 tricks, the number of weeks in a quarter;

So you see, Sir, my pack of cards serves me as a Bible, Almanac and Prayer Book.

 Bible  Almanac  Prayer Book


And friends ... This story is true, I know ... I was that soldier!

American Resolve  

Bagdad  

New Friends  
Prisoners  
Positions  
Prisoners  

In 1954, Congress after a campaign by the Knights of Columbus, added the words, 'under God,' to the Pledge. The Pledge was now both a patriotic oath and a public prayer. If the Pledge's historical pattern repeats, its words will be modified during this decade. Below are two possible changes.

Some prolife advocates recite the following slightly revised Pledge: '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, born and unborn.'

A few liberals recite a slightly revised version of Bellamy's original Pledge: "I pledge allegiance to my Flag, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with equality, liberty and justice for all."

In 2003 the Knights of Columbus hope to preserve the the pledge with one nation under God and born and unborn intact. Please tell your legislators this is our will and if you can't tell it to the men who served as in the pictures above and see what response you get. May "GOD" bless them all and bring them home safe.

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