pa·tri·ot·ism \ 'pā-trē-ŭ-tiz-ŭm \ n : love of one’s own country and devotion to its welfare

What does it mean to be a patriotic American? Our country has taken some pretty hard knocks over the past two years. Thousands of our citizens were killed in terrorist attacks on September 11. Stock values have vanished, threatening the economy of our nation and our households. We suffered a bitter dispute over the presidential election. And corporate America has exposed a scourge of fraud and deceit within its own ranks. Most countries would not survive any of these tragedies, let alone all of them at once. Other nations would be facing political turmoil, military coups, and economic ruin.

Not the United States. Our economy is recovering, free elections are proceeding, and patriotism is flourishing. We are discovering that patriotism is more than wearing a flag on your lapel. It requires action; it demands commitment.

Here are some things I believe we should do as patriotic citizens of our country, our state and our community:

The family is the most important unit of our American society. Parents are their children’s first and most important teachers. Take time for the family. Read together. Attend church together. Visit, work and have fun together. No nation will survive without strong, moral families.

Although our families are of prime importance, our duties as citizens also require us to be good neighbors. Volunteer. Yes, our lives are busy, but the need for help in our community is huge. There are opportunities for service that fit your talents, abilities and time availability. The PTO, the Family Crisis Center, the Chamber of Commerce, the United Way, our libraries and service clubs are always looking for volunteers and new members. Whether you are a new parent or a grandparent, volunteer at the public schools, teach a child to read, help with homework, tutor a struggling student. Volunteer. The whole community will benefit, but you will be the biggest winner of all.

People ask me, "Where did the money go that was promised to public schools, Health and Welfare, and other worthy agencies?" It isn’t that it "went" anywhere; it never came in. Tough economic times have reduced income, sales, fuel and other tax revenues. The situation is made worse every time we abandon our local stores to buy from the internet or a catalog. Every time we choose to travel, shop and buy services in other areas, local jobs are threatened, state sales taxes are reduced, and Main Street becomes more vacant. Some retailers tell me that customer loyalty is dead. I refuse to believe that. As patriotic citizens, we will support our local communities and contribute to their success.

"No nation can remain free unless its people cherish their freedoms, understand the responsibilities they entail, and nurture the will to preserve them." –John F. Kennedy.

Democracy is the foundation upon which this nation rests. Almost every generation has sacrificed the lives of young men and women to defend our freedoms. Once again, voter apathy is spreading across our nation. I sincerely hope that we will not have to engage in another war to make us appreciate the democratic process that has preserved our freedoms. Support issues and candidates that are best for all citizens of our community. Do not be so selfish as to consider only those issues that affect you or your pocketbook.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all [people] are created equal."

There is nothing more unpatriotic than the hate crimes directed against others due to their culture, religion, skin color, or nationality. Gratefully, our area has been spared such atrocities, but we can still do more to promote civility within our communities. Let us reach out to others regardless of their ethnicity, their religion, political affiliation or social status. May we be kind and friendly to others at the grocery store, at the ball field, or driving down the street. Oh, that we could remember that the clerk at the store, the waiter at the restaurant, the secretary at the counter, and the public servant in office are human beings with human feelings. A smile, a word of encouragement, a note of appreciation can turn this community from a nice place to an amazing cradle of brotherhood and patriotism.

Patriotism: It’s not just for the 4^th of July!

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