To the editor:
I once asked a local Patriot, “What makes you more patriotic than me?”. His reply was “Did you serve?” My answer was “No.”
If that were the only criteria for being a patriot hardly any one else could qualify. From 1973 to today barely 1.3% of American citizens have joined our armed forces and roughly 5.9% of Americans are currently veterans.
But, I’d like to think I understand what constitutes patriotism. Having previously done some family genealogy, I was not surprised to find family members from both sides serving in Korea back to the American Revolution, and my thanks to Abijah Curtis. With the exception of the War of 1812 and an as yet undetermined Medal from the Spanish-American War there has been service. The women also served. Those who stayed home silently to those who joined what eventually became the Red Cross. And again to the Women’s Army Corps and the USO. They all served the Higher Purpose of their time, prayed for Peace and the safe return of loved ones. All immigrants or descendants of: fighting injustice, inequality, totalitarianism and fascism.
In my mind, a patriot is one who loves their country enough to know that it has flaws that need to be addressed. A different patriot might only worship their country and see no flaws in it... except for those who point out those flaws.
So many choices, all of us in our own fashion patriotic. Perhaps we all need a deeper understanding of our history and nature.
John Hunter Bingham Township
