Patriotism

Every year we engage in corporate displays of patriotism. Right now my facebook feed is full of flags, fireworks, and (a sad amount of) military hardware. Of course, as a soldier, I enjoy the many respects to service-members and veterans. But, I wonder. What does it mean to be patriotic? Have we distilled patriotism down to a few memes of flags, red, white, and blue bunting? Does posting a picture flexing our national military muscles make me a patriot. Surely there’s more to it than that. As a History / English teacher I naturally turn to historical documents. Three key sentences come to mind. 

      From the Declaration of Independence: And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor. 

      From the Constitution: We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. 

      From the Army Oath of Enlistment (originally adopted in 1789 and updated in 1962): I, Matthew E. Robinson (and yes I took this several times), do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God." 

      These three key documents clearly define patriotism. All three speak of sacrifice to a higher cause. They include language that speaks of looking forward, of laboring for an unseen, yet hoped for goal. American soldiers swear to defend a body of ideas, not a particular piece of territory. In that we find a key to true patriotism. If we are truly patriots, we give of ourselves. We take risk. We look to a future that includes not only our posterity, but also, a more perfect union and greater welfare for all of us. American patriotism pulls another chair up to the table, not closes the door. American patriotism expands the borders of freedom for all and does not savagely curtail the freedom of certain groups. As challenging as it is, American patriotism toils to welcome those less fortunate; even at great cost. So when we think about patriotism we should consider the following: 

1.  Have we sacrificed for our country? 
2. Do we live serving a higher purpose, or do we merely seek to gratify our own desires? 
3. Do we think more about expanding freedom or crushing the “opposition?” 
4. Are high ideals the basis of our politics or a political party? 
5. Do we place our faith in powerful arms or powerful ideas? 
6. Are we willing to take risk for our ideas or do we want to play it safe? 

     So when I ruminate on my status as a patriot, I must consider my ideals. Do I carefully consider such documents as the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence. Or, do I consider my own needs, wants, and more importantly comfort. After all, our founding fathers, and other great patriots, all risked greatly. And, some lost greatly. Isn’t patriotism more about a grand experiment than a grand bank account?