The Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy will attempt to set a world record for most people reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at the same time on June 16 at 2 p.m.
The event will take place at the Red Skelton Performing Arts Center located adjacent to the Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy on the Vincennes University campus.
The executive director of the Skelton Museum Annie Pratt says they’re confident they’ll set the record since they are the first to attempt this, but they want to attract a large crowd so they can hold the record well into the future.
The record-setting event is part of the Skelton Museum’s 50th-anniversary celebration of Red Skelton’s 1969 national television broadcast when he explained the meaning of each part of the Pledge of Allegiance. Skelton said he learned its meaning from an elementary school teacher in his hometown of Vincennes.
Pratt says The year 1969 was a turbulent time when there were street protests and flag burnings throughout the country, and Red thought it was important to remind people of the importance of the pledge and our responsibilities as citizens.
Skelton’s explanation of the Pledge of Allegiance touched Americans and CBS-TV received many requests for copies of it soon after the broadcast. He was asked to perform the Pledge at many of his concerts and patriotic events from 1969 through the nation’s 1976 bicentennial.
Pratt says Given Red’s long-standing defense of it, what better place could there be to set the record for reciting the Pledge of Allegiance than the museum and performing arts center that bears his name.
The event will include representatives from the American Legion, Forty et Eight, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, who will discuss flag etiquette.
A video of Skelton’s Pledge will show during the program, then the public will stand and say the Pledge of Allegiance.
This is a record-setting event and due to that, each person is required to register so there is an accurate count for the official record. Participants will receive a commemorative sticker that will provide access to the Skelton Museum on the day of the program.
Register online at www.redskeltonmuseum.org.
Pratt explains that This is a chance to be a part of history, help set a world’s record, and demonstrate the same love of country that Red Skelton showed throughout his long career in radio, television, and movies, and Vincennes is so proud to be his hometown and this is one way they can honor him.
The Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy and Red Skelton Performing Arts Center are located at 20 W. Red Skelton Blvd.
