What is Patriotism to you?

Tuesday, March 20, 2007
What is Patriotism to you?
What do you think would be considered "patriotism"? Patriotism is a love for one's country. Everybody has a different opinion about this particular subject. I think that it is a matter of opinion and therefore everybody is entitled to that opinion. If you go out to a July 4th celebration and you do not wave a flag, some people will think that you are being patriotic. To others that does not matter, they just show how they show their support for their country. Whether it be enlisting in the military, navy, air force, national guard, and other branches of the government.To those who do not think that everyone has to wave a flag, there are other ways to being patriotic. You could volunteer to go around to soldiers, talk and get to know them, and let know that they will always be in your prayers. They know the risks and the sacrifices it takes to fight for their country, just knowing that they are not forgotten goes a long way.I have known people who have served this country. One of them being my father. For most of the eighties, he was in the civil services. I also have other friends who have served and who still serve. Then are my friends who are just starting to serve our country. It takes bravery, courage, determination to persevere. Being able to know these people, these patriots, is a blessing to me. My grandfather served during WWII, and then during the nineties my brother-in-law also served. These people are very special to me, not only because they are my friends, but because they have a part of my life. When i think about what the families go through, i can't imagine it because i did not have to go through that. Hearing about it is one thing, but when you have a friend or loved one somewhere out in the middle of nowhere, that is whole different experience altogether. It just depends on what your definition of patriotism is.

Why is it that now we are at war, everybody is either being more patriotic or becoming more patriotic? Or why is it that we think this way when something life-changing like this happens? We should just live our lives the way that we think is right, help others and just leave people to show their own patriotism the way they think they should. Why do play around with patriotism like it is musical chairs? We should not play with our patriotism like this, but we should embrace and show it. WE NEED TO BE PROUD TO BE AMERICANS!!! Be proud of all our freedoms and not take it for granted.