Area residents once again staged an impromptu Pledge of Allegiance at commissioners court Tuesday, bucking the court’s decision to establish a policy for the pledge and a prayer before adding them to the weekly meetings.

The court voted last week to begin each meeting with a prayer, followed by the pledge, but only after a policy is developed setting the court’s guidelines to implement both.

Toby Marie Walker, president of the Waco Tea Party, told the commissioners during the meeting’s public comment period that while a policy may be a good idea before including a prayer, it should not hold up implementing the pledge.

Commissioner Lester Gibson (left) waits in his chair while Commissioner Kelly Snell recites the Pledge of Allegiance during commissioners court Tuesday.
Rod Aydelotte/Waco Tribune-Herald

“We would like to somehow get you guys to say it every week, so I guess the only way is to come down here every week and say it with you during this time,” Walker said.

She then stood to lead the room of Waco Tea Party members, residents and county officials in reciting the pledge.

Last week, local veterans advocate Bill Mahon led an impromptu pledge during the public comment period.

Commissioner Lester Gibson and County Judge Jim Lewis remained seated while the rest of the audience joined Mahon.

Gibson again kept his seat Tuesday. He said he chose not to say the pledge because it goes against his personal religious conviction that a prayer should be said before any pledge or oath.

“I’m a veteran, but at the same time I can’t bend down my conviction,” said Gibson, who pointed out that others in the back of the room also did not stand for the pledge. “I’d be less than a man if I believe in something but then I let you persuade my belief otherwise. As soon as we get (the policy) on the agenda, I will gladly stand up and say the Pledge of Allegiance.”

Besides Walker, five other residents made statements about adding the pledge and prayer.

The majority of the speakers supported Gibson’s stance that a prayer needed to be instituted first.

“Our founders came across (to America) on a ship. When they set foot on the ground, I believe they prayed,” said Tyran Snell, pastor of Titus Christian Fellowship Church in Bellmead. “Every warrior that went into war, they prayed. Then the flag came, then the Pledge of Allegiance came, but (before) everything else, they prayed. To whatever God they prayed to, they prayed.”

Gibson said he does not know if the latest wave of comments stems from people being confused about the court’s action on the issue or just being anxious to see either the pledge or the prayer implemented sooner.

Becky Kodrin (left) and Toby Marie Walker cover their hearts while reciting the Pledge of Allegiance during an open forum at commissioners court.
Rod Aydelotte/Waco Tribune-Herald

Gibson and Commissioner Kelly Snell are drafting the policy to begin implementing both the pledge and prayer. One draft proposes that different local veterans rotate in leading the pledge, while clergy from different religions be brought in to say the prayer each week.

Gibson said he expects the policy to be presented to the court next week for approval. But he said it likely will be a few more weeks before the court officially begins including them both, as the court lines up which individuals will lead the prayer and pledge.

“It’s better to cover all your bases than to quickly get out there and jump into something that you might not have given any forethought to,” he said.

rdennis@wacotrib.com

757-5755

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