Are you patriotic? What does being patriotic mean to you?
As a life-long citizen of the United States, I feel patriotism for my country. However, the word ‘patriot’ has lately come to describe people who support a certain political party and leader over another. What is happening in our country with the new administration is concerning, to me, who didn’t vote in favor of our new-ish leader. Which is why I hesitated to answer this question today. However, I can remember two very patriotic moments that I have experienced. And not just me, but countless Americans.
After the terror attacks on September 11th, our patriotism was elevated to an extraordinary new height. “God Bless America” was on every billboard and an American flag hung from every porch. We were united in our love for a country that was recently attacked. Members of congress singing “God Bless America” on the steps of the capitol. To see them come together, political differences aside, was something else. For lack of a better way to describe it. We all felt pride for our country in those days. And to be fair, I think we all feel a pride in our country now, but there are so many differing opinions on what needs to be done to help our country thrive. Which is fine, differences are good. But it’s the extremes that we are seeing now that make it different from what we’ve seen before.
I can also remember Stone Mountain Park in Georgia. In the 80s and 90s, where my memories are strongest, my family and I went every 4th of July to the park to watch the laser show. We also went multiple other times during the summer. But on the 4th of July, the patriotism during the show was powerful. On the mountain, there is a carving of three Confederate soldiers and at the end of the show, the lasers would trace the carving and make them come to life to re-enact a battle scene. All of this was set to music. I think Elvis Presley’s song about Dixie played during that part. After that, Lee Greenwood’s song, “God Bless the USA” would blast and the fireworks would shoot off from the top of the mountain, all while an American flag was outlined in lasers and waved on the carving. All of us sitting on the lawn in front would crane our necks back and watch with wonder, our hearts swelling with pride.
I don’t know that laser shows still take place there. I know there was a movement to sand blast over the carving when there was a big push to take down Confederate monuments. The billboards and flags also aren’t as numerous now as they were after September 11th. Now, patriotism looks different for some. It’s not as simple as it was before. It’s much more politically charged. I don’t like that. Love for our country should be all that matters. It shouldn’t depend on which political party you support.
I will always want what’s best for my country and I will always feel honored that I am a citizen here. For now, that’s enough.
Leave a Reply