Having served in the US Military I can say the pledge definitely has it's place, and I encourage its use for military personnel and other government workers (such as politicians) as upholding it is a part of their specific duty. I do not, however, think it really belongs in our schools. Children are not able to really understand it when it's first done (I remember it being recited as early as Kindergarten, though I can't remember if it was in pre-school or not), and putting it in such a place makes them feel it's a necessity instead of a choice. Some people desire to move to another country when they grow up (for whatever reason), and there's also the issue of exchange students and students who are a citizen of multiple countries. I also do not appreciate it made into something that people will mindlessly recite, as that is one of the best ways to degrade it into complete meaninglessness.