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Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War
Anna M. Ross, Camp #1 (215) 289-6484 |
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PATRIOTISM AND LOVE OF COUNTRY IN THESE TIMES By Thomas M. Ricks Patriotic Instructor Anna M. Ross Camp #1, SUVCW January 21, 2002 In these times, we are reminded of the need to show our patriotism and our love of country. Let’s do so not only with September 11th and the attacks on US peoples and properties in mind but also with today’s holiday, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Day, in mind. How natural it is to relate to patriotism in the memory of an “event”, such as Flag Day, Memorial Day, or the 4 th of July! Is it not also natural to declare one’s patriotism in the memory of a person(s), such as, Veterans’ Day, Lincoln’s Day, or Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.s’ Day? I would argue that both events and peoples are our most appropriate symbols of patriotism, and love of our country. I do so with two points in mind: 1. the love of our land and the demonstration of that love as signs of patriotism is actually love of the men and women of our land, their ideals, aspirations and values that we all hold dear in memory of those who have gone before us, in partnership with those who are with us, and in hope for those yet to come. We should proudly ask that “God Bless America” as much as we should equally exclaim that “God Bless Americans”! Can we really separate our land and country from those who till its land, works its mills and factories, teach its laws and cultures, or uphold its traditions and customs? Can we think that we love this earth on which we stand united without also love for those whose lives enrich that earth, whose sacrifices embolden that land, and whose faith embraces its value? I believe not. 2. When we pledge our allegiances and sing out our patriotic songs, don’t we also pledge our responsibilities to each other and to our faith in our collective living? We write the laws, and celebrate the events and peoples of our great nation together always…never alone. We cannot possibly rejoice in the victory or weep in the defeat of one American man, woman, or child without knowing that we are rejoicing in the victory or weeping in the defeat of our families, our neighbors, our communities, our city, our state, our nation and ourselves! In vowing that we stand united, we are also vowing that we will stand for all of us with all our values, and allow for both similarities and differences of opinion. Together, are looking for the most reasonable solutions, the most progressive paths to follow for us all. Are we not? We all stand on others’ shoulders as others indeed will stand upon ours. In accepting our citizenship and the rights of being an American, are we not also accepting the collective responsibility of caring for our neighbors, communities, city, state and nation? I believe so. Patriotism, for us then, is a symbol of everyone in this great land; a symbol of all of us, individuals as well as communities, standing together past, present and future in pursuit of our rights and liberties. Patriotism then is not an event alone, but a process of people striving for something better, more worthwhile, more American. It is a declaration that we are Americans and a prayer that we are blessed in all that we do and aspire to do. Let us remember then both September 11th, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as American events and American inspirations for us all. In doing so, we will honor our blessings, and reaffirm our responsibilities to each and every one of us.
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