American Patriotism: a Reflection of Love for Our Country

Introduction
While preparing to write this particular article, this writer found that it was not as easy to put these words together as it was for the other articles written by me. It was discovered that this was because I was trying to write an article excluding my own opinion. When discussing this particular subject, there is no way my own opinion could honestly be excluded. It seems that everyone has an opinion, these days, on the subject of "Patriotism." Why should I be any different.

What I will not merely give my own opinion, but to formulate ideas to get the reader to ponder their own degree of patriotism. The true purpose of this article is to put the concept of American Patriotism in the minds of all who live in this country.

What does it really mean to be patriotic? This question has been pondered over for quite some time by this writer. I have read a whole lot of information about the subject of patriotism. I found, for me, it was a much bigger issue then I had once thought. It was discovered that I could not just answer this question in a simple statement. My very ideals, beliefs, values, morals, and the foundation of who I am is grounded into the concept of patriotism as with all Americans. This fact alone may not make me a patriotic person, but it is something to build on. Our heritage usually provides the foundation of our patriotism. Certain things we are raised to believe.

I have often wondered how many people actually view patriotism as one of their own attributes. Do they consider themselves patriotic?

The events of September 11, 2001 and the War in Iraq, which began on March 19, 2003 have made us all challenge our own patriotism. There is no way I wish to enter into the debate of the war, but I will express certain ideas about the war. These events shape and have forever changed the way we look at our own freedoms and our own safety within our own borders. As in other areas of our lives, we are never able to deal with the concept of loosing our freedoms or our safety until we are faced with the realization that they can disappear.

In this article, I will use the events of 9/11 and the War in Iraq to explain ideas or points I am trying to make in a particular passage. Supporting articles will provide further information about points made in this article. Most of the background of this article is common sense or public knowledge. The reader may not agree with what is stated in this article and being an American affords you the freedom to disagree with me. I only ask that the reader keep an open mind and think about what is written.

Included within this article is a section of Remembrance of those killed on 9/11 and the Soldiers killed in Iraq. It is a memorial to the lives lost when our country was attacked; sacrifices made to protect others; and those who paid the ultimate price to protect our freedoms.

We take Our Freedom for Granted

Debates go on in living rooms, family gatherings, back yard barbeques, and many other social gatherings about the plight of our nation. They talk about the freedoms we have lost, the mistakes made by our government, and just about anything else they feel is wrong with this country. They do this without realizing they are expressing one of the very freedoms they say we are loosing. There are many countries where you are not permitted to talk openly and in public about the government. People do this, but only in extreme private situations. They have to go into hiding to discuss such matters. Many are even afraid to speak about such things to other family members because they may be reported to authorities where the punishment would be torture or death.

Right now protests of the War in Iraq are popping up and people are voicing their opinions from one end of this country to the other. The Internet is over flowing with sites created by people who are protesting the war. They do this never realizing this is yet another freedom they have which is foreign to many other countries.

We make choices about our lives every day which people in many other countries could never make on their own. We have been called lazy and spoiled by other countries. Compared to many of them, we are spoiled and lazy.

We had managed, until 9/11, to avoid attacks on our own shores. Our only threats where those created by our own citizens. Those which are fueled by rage and violence. Some of these threats are within the very homes of people who live in this country. These were our biggest threats. Terrorism existed but on a smaller scale or away from our shores. It was never as exposed to us as it was on 9/11.

This country has dealt with natural disasters which have claimed the lives of many citizens in various parts of the country. These tragedies were hard to deal with, but on September 11, 2001 we dealt with something which was far different. It marked change in our own home land. How do you cope with such a tragedy when it comes from a foreign shore? We got to experience in this one day what other countries deal with on a daily basis. Our own country was hit and many lost their lives.

After we were attacked, people every where began to ask what our country was going to do about this dreadful attack. People wanted to know who had done this horrible thing to us, and why they had done it? Oh, few would have said there should not be some kind of retaliation on the part of our country. The news stations never ceased in showing the images which are now forever burnt into our minds and hearts. The course of action was discussed. Everyone felt sadness and grief.

A long time military friend of mine expressed it far better then I could. "You just can't win with most Americans. They hated that we were attacked, and they wanted action. What action did they want? Many of the same people who wanted action, are now saying that we do not need to be over in Iraq. How else do you fight other people who are willing to die for their cause? Those terrorists who were in the planes that attacked the towers, the pentagon, and were on flight 93 were willing to die for what they believed in and did it. Do these Americans seriously believe that the threat to our borders is over? " He paused, "They want freedom but they do not want to loose anyone or anything in the process. They want freedom and safety without a cost.

"Do I agree with us being in Iraq for so long? Well, no I don't, but I understand why it is hard for us to leave it now. If we back out now, there could be even greater calamity. Then, these people would say, we left too soon. There are still some real threats out there lurking in the shadows.

"If anyone thinks America is truly safe from the threat of terrorism, they are fooling themselves. If we could be attacked in September of 2001 then we can still be attacked today. We have stepped up security, and it may be a bit harder, but it could still happen. Our military is the only force in America capable of truly fighting such a large enemy as terrorism. I doubt it will ever end.

"People, just don't get what it means to fight for what you believe in and to lay down your life for your country. I was in the military for 20 years and retired. I was in Vietnam. I do not regret it. If I had it to do all over again, I would still do it. I believe in the freedoms our American Soldiers fight for and give their lives to protect. Many may not agree with their leaders, but they do the tasks laid before them because they believe in protecting their country.

"Am I saying the protestors are not patriotic. No, just the opposite. I think they are exercising their beliefs, and standing up for their rights. They are voicing their opinions and keeping our freedoms alive. I am just saying they need to make sure they are expressing their grievance to the right people. They must recognize the rights of others. They can protest the war all they wish, but they should understand that those who are fighting in the war are doing the same thing the protestors are doing. They are fighting for what they believe in and risking their lives to do it. Whether you are for or against the War in Iraq, I don't see how anyone could not respect those who choose to blindly fight for the rights of many people they do not know or have never met."

Many feel that many of our freedoms have been sacrificed. Maybe in some ways they have been sacrificed. Maybe we do not have the freedoms we once had when our country first began. In other ways, maybe we have more then when we first began. The one thing known for sure, is there are many freedoms we do still have and should protect. We exercise freedoms every day that we really don't realize we are exercising. We have the freedom to freely go where we choose and basically do what we please as long as we don't hurt others in any way, and we follow the laws of the land. We need laws to maintain order and to protect us from predators and those who wish to do us harm.

We want to put all the responsibility on our government to protect us and to keep our freedoms in tact. If we want to stay free, we must act like we are free. We must protect our own freedoms by expressing them and fighting for what we believe. We share the responsibility for protecting our freedoms with our government as citizens of this land.

Patriotism is not expressed by keeping quiet. If we are not free within ourselves, we can't understand or express true freedom. If we consider ourselves patriotic, we must exercise those freedoms we are given. We must be willing to stand up and express our rights to keep them. If we do disagree with what is going on, we should be willing to stand up and express this disagreement.

It never ceases to amaze this writer that many of the very people who claim we have lost our freedom will not speak up when put on the spot to do so. Of course, this is also a right and freedom. We have the freedom to speak out or keep quiet as we wish. If we want to be heard, we must first speak.

The one aspect of American Patriotism people fail to express the most is that of recognizing the same rights in others. If one set of people have the right to protest the war because they believe it is wrong, then another group has the right to fight in the war.

True American Patriotism recognizes the rights and responsibilities of every American Citizen. "And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country." John F. Kennedy

We should also take the time to learn and listen. Knowledge is a great tool. Many people argue about things they know little about. If we must speak out, then we need to get as much of the facts as we can. Know your subject.

When we talk about our freedoms, we usually look at them from a biased perspective. We have never known life without freedom. We may not have all the freedom we want, but Americans are hard to please. The more we get; the more we want.

We should have learned from 9/11 that we can never take anything for granted. Like the twin towers, it can be here today and gone tomorrow. Freedom is not free.

Love for Our Country

We love our families. Most of us would lay down our lives to protect them. Does this mean that we always agree with them? Do we always approve of the choices they make or the way they handle a problem? If we state our disagreement with them, does this mean we stopped loving them?

These same concepts are present in regards to our country. We can still love our country while we disagree with the choices of our leaders. Being patriotic does not mean to be quiet. If you believe that a child is making a bad choice, your expression of disapproval is out of love and wanting the best for them. The same is true for our country. When we speak out about things we believe the leaders are doing wrong, it is because we want the best for our country and the other citizens.

We exercise our approval and disapproval the most when we vote. If the leaders are not doing the job we think they should, we can vote for new leaders.

Exercising our freedoms and showing we love this country is not something we should just show in times of tragedy. It should be concepts we express all the time. It seems that we only really know how we feel about something when we are faced with the reality that it can be taken away from us or we come face to face with this loss. The events of 9/11 brought all of us face to face with the loss of life and the risk to our homeland.

Loving our country is sharing the pain of those we lost and fighting for the rights of everyone. We should be concerned about all events which occur within our communities and our nation. We should help those who are in need and show compassion for those who suffer.

Love of the United States of America is a fundamental part of our heritage. It should not be a hard concept to grasp. The USA isn't perfect, but it is home.

Fundamental Aspects of American Patriotism
(Basic points which define each of us as American Patriots.)

* We show a clear appreciation of the freedom which is the legacy handed down by our forefathers and passed from one American generation to another.

* We recognize the Constitution and Bill of Rights as the true documentation of all our rights and freedoms as American Citizens.

* We recognize and express the rights and freedoms of other American Citizens, as well as, our own.

* We show a clear respect and appreciation for the laws of our nation and those who are sworn to enforce these laws.

* We understand and accept our own personal responsibilities to protect our families and communities.

* We protect our freedom by exercising this freedom with dignity and integrity.

* We may not agree with our leaders, but we can respect their position. We have the power to vote and should exercise this power and freedom when we feel a change of leadership is required.

* We are there to help those in need and who suffer from illness, tragedy, loss, abuse, poverty, and other trials which cause pain and suffering.

* We show respect to those who fight and die for our freedoms.

* We are not afraid to speak up when our rights or freedoms are threatened.

* We show the pride of our country and express ourselves as proud Americans.

* We express and share all these ideas with our children so that the legacy of our forefathers continues on to future generations.

* We carry these principles in our hearts and all others which are a part of our American heritage.

Many people may differ when asked what American Patriotism means to them. It is a pretty subjective point of view. The above precepts are those which few would argue with, but many may define a bit differently. To me they are simple and are rooted in my own life as provided by those who raised me and taught me how to be a proper American.

Remembering the Lives Lost on September 11, 2001

I woke up on September 11, 2001, went to kitchen for coffee, and turned on the T.V. to the Today Show to get my morning dose of news. I listened while I continued to drink the coffee which was needed to get my body and mind motivated to deal with the days activities. Then, the news of the first tower having been hit came on, and the Today Show stayed tuned to New York.

I remember just being transfixed and in shock. I was thinking, "This can't be really happening." Then, I watched as the second tower was hit. Right there on the screen was the reality of a dreadful tragedy. News of the Pentagon attack and flight 93 came later.

The tragedies of this day changed the entire country. It was a tragedy of which this country had never faced to this degree before.

We must all keep this day in our hearts and minds. We must never forget those who died on 9/11/01. They will always remain in our hearts. This was a defining moment in American History and one which made everyone re-evaluate their own lives.

To personalize this event, I have provided a link which will list the names of everyone killed on September 11, 2001. Remember that many who died were those who were trying to save those trapped in the towers. We must also remember the courageous people aboard flight 93. They were true patriots who risked their own lives to keep more American Buildings and Citizens from facing the same fate as those of the Twin Towers.

Web site which lists those killed on 9/11/07 is available at this link
www.project2996.com/listmaster.html

Gone but not forgotten!!!!

Remembering the Soldiers who have Died in Iraq Since War the War Began on March 19, 2003

Whether you agree with the War in Iraq or not, you can't help but feel sad for all those who have perished while fighting for the rights and freedoms of all of us. They courageously risked and gave the ultimate price for our own safety and freedom.

My heart goes out to the many families who grieve for their loved ones killed in Iraq. I will keep them in my hearts and prayers.

They will be forever remembered and forever in our hearts.

Web site which lists those soldiers killed since 3/19/03 is available at this link.
iraq.pigstye.net/wd.php (Other information is available at the site by clicking other links within the site navigation bar on the page above. The site is updated on a regular basis.)

Conclusion
This article may not express views which everyone agrees with, but it an article of love. Love for this country, the people who live here, and those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

This article was hard to write, but it was worth the effort. It was hard because of the emotional impact felt while writing it. I write many articles, but none which have had the impact of this one. If it makes readers feel half what it has made me feel, then I will have succeeded far above my expectations.

Some times when we write, we learn more then we teach or share. This has certainly been the case for me.
It has certainly been an eye opening project.

Remember the old saying, "If you don't use it you will loose it." I really believe this also applies to our freedom. If we don't exercise our freedom, we find that they are suddenly gone. We fight for our freedoms by expressing them and using them. They are ours as American Citizens.

Some people complain about our leaders, but do not vote. They say our freedoms are leaving us, but fail to speak out. The freedoms are our bought and paid for by the blood of many who have died to protect them, we might as well use them.

If we want a great country, we need to take part in making it one. I think it is pretty great. It isn't perfect, but nothing is perfect. It is my home, and I do not wish to live anywhere else.

A country is only as good as the people in it. We are great because we are a nation of freedom. We are greater when we band together under a united front. Let's all work together to make our nation stronger and better.