Dillon Krueger, a local artist, veteran and children's author, recently published his newest book, "Why We Pledge Allegiance, ...

The flag salute caught on, and by World War I several versions were in use. An official flag code adopted in the 1920s included a revised version of Bellamy’s Pledge of Allegiance.

The full pledge, which many children have memorized in grade school, goes as follows: “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands ...

The Pledge of Allegiance also was created to venerate the flag and "foster patriotism," in addition to boosting revenue for a popular magazine in the late 1800s by selling flags and subscriptions.

In fact, many schools and public buildings didn’t even have national flags, according to “To The Flag,” a 2005 book on the history of the Pledge, by Richard J. Ellis.