Re: The Meaning of the word "Two (or to) at the end of the Pledge
ALScouter@AOL.COM
Thu, 1 Apr 1999 07:54:46 EST
In a message dated 3/31/99 10:09:17 PM Central Standard Time,
dloomis@NH.ULTRANET.COM writes:
> The command comes from the military, where the personnel rendering
> the salute on command are directed to return to the position of attention by
> the
> preparatory command, "Ready" followed by the command of execution, "To",
> whereupon the participants return their saluting hand to the side of their
> pant
> leg. Any further etiology may derive from the idea that the hand is being
> returned "to" its place of origin, or the people are returning "to" the
> position
> of attention.
This is the closest to the correct answer I have seen so far, but now the rest
of the story.....
Like a lot of other things we get lazy and leave things out, thus many people
don't do the whole command, just the "two" at the end. Yes, it does come from
the military two count command for training people to do the hand salute. The
full command, which, btw, most Troops in my area use (maybe from the large
number of military associated with the two Army installations in Anniston)
should be:
Scout Salute, by-the-numbers. Ready, One. (Scouts execute salute)
(Scouts recite Pledge)
Ready, Two. (Scouts drop hand back down to side)
YIS,
Len Motz
District Commissioner, Choccolocco District
ESA, Greater Alabama Council #1
Anniston, Alabama
"I used to be an Eagle" SR-192
Life Member, NAUMS
