Stars and Stripes

Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and your children’s children. Do not let selfish men or greedy interests skin your country of its beauty, its riches or its romance.”
― Theodore Roosevelt

The little church grew quiet as the first note of My Country Tis of Thee was played. Little did we know what was about to transpire would forever be etched in our memories. As the music played, the back doors opened wide and old Brother Patton, in his nineties now, dressed in his military uniform, stood proud holding the flag. With all the pride the old man could muster and in grand ceremonial fashion, he marched down the aisle, tears falling from his old and dimming eyes. He placed the treasure he was holding in its place, stepped back a few feet, and in grand military formality slowly lifted his hand in salute to the flag he had so sacrificially served all those years ago. We knew in our hearts the old man was not only saluting his country’s flag, but saluting all his comrades who had given their all to serve the country he cherished. He was saluting the ideals his country was founded on. He was saluting the God who had allowed us to get where we are. Patriotism was on display in fine fashion that morning and we were blessed to have witnessed it.

Patriotism is defined as a love for or devotion to one’s country. Being patriotic does not mean one must love everything about the country, but means one loves in spite of what might be wrong, in much the same way God loves us unconditionally. Having patriotism means we take pride in our country’s past, present, and future achievements. Though there are dark periods of our country’s past we are not proud of, we can take pride in the fact we, as a nation, have rectified many of those mistakes and can stand against differences that seek to divide us.

I learned patriotism as a small child through attitudes of those around me at home and at school. In our elementary school in the 50’s and early 60’s, each morning, as the day was beginning, after the roll had been called, we lined up outside our classrooms in the hallway against the wall. At the end of the hallway stood someone with the privilege of holding the flag. We placed our hands over our hearts and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Someone led us in a patriotic song, but not always the national anthem. Sometimes it was God Bless America or America (My Country Tis of Thee). Before filing back into our classrooms, someone led us in a prayer to start our day, before the Supreme Court took prayer out of schools in 1962. I remember this morning ritual with great fondness as it was such a wonderful way to start our day off on a positive note. I took great pride in being an American and to this day often tear up at the sight of a flag or when saying the Pledge of Allegiance.

Younger generations, as a whole, do not feel that same pride any longer. When I taught middle school, I had students from time to time who refused to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. I could not force them to stand. Usually, all I had to do was say I would call their parents and abide by their wishes. That is all it took and typically they would stand up. The lack of patriotism among today’s youth is not their fault, not when they see us spewing hate toward each other because of racial divides, religious differences, political issues, party affiliations, and so on and so on. Having pride in our country does not mean we are proud of the actual land on which we live, it is pride in who we are as a nation. Who do our children see that we are? They model what they see. If we leave a legacy to our children that leads to our nation’s destruction, it will not be their fault. It will be ours. Heaven help us!

How can we instill patriotism in our children? As patriotic holidays come around, make it meaningful by sharing what the holidays mean. Why are they important? Visit national museums, monuments, and cemeteries with your children. Talk about sacrifices made so their lives can be richer and free. Instill a respect for national symbols by modeling honor and respect in front of them. Children learn best by example. Talk about diverse cultures that make up this great country we live in. Share stories of opportunities afforded to people who have come to this country to make a better life for themselves. Somewhere in all our history, an ancestor of ours did the same. We are indeed a land of the free and a home of the brave. Let us all work together that these freedoms and opportunities can weather the winds of time.

2 Chronicles 7:14 - If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (NIV)