What is a country without patriotism? Those of you who are out the streets burning our nation's flag, those of you who are out at football games kneeling during The Star Spangled Banner, and those of you who besmirch our country's name as a form of protest, are far less than patriots. You, are the ones causing me to ask this question. You, are the ones altering the image of this country.
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines patriotism as “ love for or devotion to one’s country”. Burning our flag as a form of protest is nothing of the sort. Burning our flag which is far more than just cloth, symbolizes malevolence for everything the flag represents. The flag represents everyone who has fought to preserve this country, it’s freedom, and it’s ideals. Supporting them, and supporting our country by showing homage to our stars and stripes, by hailing the flag up high for all to see… That is patriotism, that is respect, and that is what The United States of America deserves.
Kneeling during the star spangled banner is highly disrespectful and should be frowned upon. Yet, “taking a knee” during our national anthem is now more prevalent than ever, thanks to athletes and other notable figures such as Colin Kaepernick, who has made a claim to oppression, even though he makes millions of dollars for simply playing an elementary game, just as school children do to pass the time. I ask you, Colin Kaepernick, and anyone else who has claimed to be a victim of oppression, to think this over; since when has simply sitting or taking a knee during any type of tyranny or “oppression” stopped it dead in it’s tracks? Never. When has not standing up for our country's national anthem ever been the right and respectful thing to do? Never. Colin Kaepernick’s coach, Chip Kelly, states the following; “ players are encouraged but not required to stand during the playing of the national anthem”. Anyone out on that field… any spectators in the stands of that arena, should be required to stand for our national anthem, as sitting during such an important symbolic event, is as un-patriotic as ever and brands our country's name with desecration.
Those same people who do not stand during The Star Spangled Banner, are completely synonymous to those individuals who nail slander upon The United States of America, by clamoring of oppression… By asserting that The United States of America’s claim to freedom is distorted or fictitious. The patriotic and American feat to accomplish, would be to spread The United States renowned ideals of freedom, liberty and nationalism to the rest of the world, as John F. Kennedy states; “ Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty”. Now, more than ever ,we as a nation, must assure the survival and the success of liberty, and of patriotism in The United States of America.
A country with no patriotism is no country at all. A country depends on it’s patriotic upstanding citizens to proudly hail it’s flag above all others. To spread it’s ideologies, and to oust those who threaten it’s freedom. Embody patriotism and the ideas it stands for. Stand up with your hand on your heart during the pledge of allegiance, hold our stars and stripes up high, and most importantly… be proud to be an American.
