I have moved around the country, attending private and public schools, where we recited the Pledge proudly, hand over heart, every school day. As a new student at JDS last year, it struck me that we did not recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Being a military child and, more importantly, a proud American, I see that America, and JDS, need the Pledge’s spirit of patriotism now more than ever.

America is a country founded upon the greatest of ideals known to man: liberty, the rule of law and government by the people. The United States was built around one central idea, set out in our Declaration of Independence, “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,” that no government could take away.

Although America has often fallen short of these eternal truths, many have sacrificed their lives to fight for them. Our great nation freed millions from bondage, pioneered unprecedented advancements in science and industry and preserved liberty through free institutions and a free economy.

Yet, national pride in the United States is on the decline among most demographics, especially younger Americans. According to a Gallup poll, only 58% of millennials and 41% of members of Gen Z are “extremely or very proud” to be American, which are historic lows for any American generation.

We live in a time when the American body politic is very divided, where many people base their love of country on their approval of certain political leaders. This is a dangerous precedent for a democratic republic. If citizens do not believe in its founding values, then what makes it worthwhile to preserve?

This is where the Pledge of Allegiance comes in. In 1892, following the civil war that split America, minister and writer Francis Bellamy sought to solve that problem and wrote a brief, deliberate statement affirming national unity and American values, which today we know as the Pledge of Allegiance.

Soon thereafter, its recitation spread to schools, naturalization ceremonies and Congress, instilling a love of country and respect for the flag, the universal symbol of American values, institutions and ideals.

Unfortunately, the promotion of patriotism and American values at JDS has become a secondary priority in recent years. JDS greatly emphasizes Ahavat Yisrael, love of Israel, as one of our school’s core values. However, JDS should do more to promote love of the United States of America, Israel’s strongest ally, and, crucially, the home country to nearly all students at the school.

Lower School students begin their day with the Pledge as a tool to educate the students about it, according to High School Principal and Upper School Campus Head Lisa Vardi. However, Vardi said starting in JDS middle school, the Pledge has never been recited. Vardi added that this policy is because students no longer need to learn the words. Additionally, recitation every morning can be logistically challenging to incorporate into more rigorous schedules. Nonetheless, the administration is open to further discussing this practice. It is imperative that JDS continues to instill appreciation and dedication to our country among older students because adolescence is a period of growth and learning that prepares students to become good citizens and informed voters.

We have a busy school day, but the Pledge is only 31 words. It can easily be inserted into the schedule during the announcements each morning without causing any disruption or incurring any new cost, as American flags are already in every classroom. Considering the vast sacrifice of those who have fought to preserve our freedoms, the addition of the Pledge is a small but significant act.

We have weathered difficult and divided times before, and we can do so again. Yet, we will cease to be great if we forget our shared values and history. We cannot afford to live as separate nations, incessantly divided along sectional and ideological lines. As President Lincoln said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” Therefore, JDS ought to incorporate the Pledge of Allegiance into our daily routine.