What is Patriotism?

What is the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of a patriot? When I think of a patriot, someone that respects, loves, and is loyal to his country is someone that comes to mind for me. Being in a family that has had multiple people go and serve in the armed forces in different branches and now being deceased, I see the flags that have been passed down to my parents and think these are the real heros.

The past is full of patriots that have helped either shape or help America in some way. During the Revolutionary War the Colonists wanted freedom from the taxation and religious rules that the British had set to control their country and those who left to find a better place. The Colonist fought for what they believed was right and wanted to fight for a country that was not fully developed yet. They had seen the potential that this land could hold and began to shape it into the country we live in today. People like Abraham Lincoln that have made a big difference in the time period are patriots to me because they saw a problem in society and had figured out a way to solve it.

Today, there are very little patriots because everyone believes that they are above everyone else. Now there are protest during the National Anthem and protesting that certain lives matter more than the other, but people have gone away from what this country was founded on. The separation that is in this country could tear it apart because everyone thinks they are right and will fight till death to prove they are right. There are certain people like Veterans that can tell you what this country is, meaning the freedom he/she was fighting for, the bond of brotherhood that is formed when you work with people day after day, and the blessing it is to live here compared to other countries that control every little aspects of life there is. When I think of a patriot I think of someone who flies American flag in there front yard everyday, is stubborn and resilient, someone who puts others first, believes that this country is full of opportunities and will go out there comfort zone to defend it. My great-Grandfather was the type where his mind set was this country is the best and he worked on trains and coal mines to support his family. He also served and talked about it all the time, growing up with that was a good example of a patriot because he showed how we (the upcoming generation) should respect this country and the history it has and to help it any way you can.

Heros, and traveled with the USO to see all the troops that were fending for there country and to give thanks for what they are doing. With supporting the troops and supporting the true heros he received the congressional gold medal and the presidential medal of freedom. While he had stomach cancer, his legacy lives on today with not only his movies but also with his cancer foundation that was formed in 1985 to help with funding for cancer research. Playing these war heros gave him an insight of what was really going on for this country. John had said “My hope and prayer is that everyone know and love our country for what she really is and what she stands for.” (Good Reads)

In conclusion a patriot is a normal person that loves his/her country and supports it with great passion. As Harry Truman said “America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand."" (Kravits). People need to realize that this country was founded so that we would have freedom but it was not just given to us, past generations had to fight for it and many lost their lives for it. Now PATRIOTISM is taken for granted and is pushed aside as not important. “When the road looks rough ahead, remember the ‘Man Upstairs’ and the word H-O-P-E. Hang on to both and tough it out” (John wayne Quotes).

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