2008
Topic C
July 12, 2008

A Patriot

The Fourth of July and the rockets red glare, coming amid a flurry of public comments about patriotism, causes me to ponder the meaning of “Patriot.” The comments are often a putdown of others in our society. Is this what makes us great?

I am proud of my country and yearn for her bright future. As a young teenager in World War II, I daily feared for our survival and joined others to do anything helpful. We gladly collected scrap metal, recycled, agreed to rationing. I later tried to get in the service. I understand “love for country.” It can be without arrogance or put down.

I have never worn a flag lapel pin and will not. Ties designed to resemble the flag are colorful but I will not wear one. It would be, for me, a disrespect of the flag to wear the flag. I do not object to those who choose to wear it.

We had a big flap in a church I served about flag etiquette. So we studied to know what was correct. We found more than one authority. The Navy protocol ordered that the flag of worship is the only flag to be flown above Old Glory, only during the time of worship on the ship. None disputed this guide, so we accepted that as our rule and placed the Christian flag in preference over the U. S. flag when in the sanctuary, but not elsewhere. In our reading, we were reminded that the flag is never to touch the ground when being unrolled, is not to be destroyed except through burning, and is never to be worn as clothing. I believe, and I do that.

Again, sincere people may do otherwise. But I admit to a bit of shock when some activists criticized one of our candidates for NOT wearing a flag lapel pin. What? Is that what our country stands for? Then, when he did wear one there was criticism that he must not be sincere, or that no candidate should do that. So we read that he is not a patriot. And others criticize his opponent for signs that he is not a patriot. I take it as a given that all twenty candidates who wanted to be president are patriots. They had better be, or the public's steady abrasion during the campaigns will wear them thin.

Next, should you cover your heart for the singing of the national anthem? We had more of the same pompous judgmental pronouncements, with no evidence on what the person really thinks. I have been gently chided in the capitol rotunda for placing my hand on my heart for the singing. More than once I have been told that gesture is reserved for the pledge of allegiance. Military personnel have orders and the rest of us have opinions. So where are we? I hope each citizen has high respect for both the flag and the anthem. But for so much more. Our jewelry is not the measure. Nationalism, whether shouted or whispered, is not patriotism.

Have you marveled at the close calls of the patriots who won freedom for us in the Revolutionary War? I am amazed they succeeded -- which includes sorting out the devious tangles after the war. I am grateful beyond words for their passion and commitment. It was truly revolutionary. Note: they were critics of their King!

The signers were a model of commitment to each other. It was their shared declaration of independence without reserve. They put on the line “our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.” To each other. It was breathtaking. If they failed each other they would be hung together. They declared a vision beyond personal differences. The new soldiers were given a vision of opportunity and justice for the grubbiest guy in the trench.

A peculiar right -- to have religious freedom -- became the founders' gift to the world as well as to us. Freedom from oppression, and justice for all set a high standard for the new nation. We are not there yet. Is that vision what drives us in our patriotism?

Did they wear a lapel flag? Then and now, the persons who are on display can be genuine or they can be fake. I learned long ago as a pastor that those who shout “Amen!” may be the most useless when it is time to be counted. A spy will wear a lapel pin or praise the president or shout down the earnest soul calling for change.

So who is a patriot? The young adult who turns away from a good job to be in harm's way in defense of country is a patriot. The parent or spouse who, with fear, encourages that loved one is a patriot. The elderly church member who prays for the safe return of military personnel, and who openly says the country is wrong in sending them on this mission, is a patriot.

The citizen who gripes about what the government does, but does not vote, is frankly in question as a patriot. The opportunities for our grandchildren depend largely on our vision and drive -- and vote. The person who supports paying taxes for necessary services to a neighbor is a patriot. The caseworker who strategizes a full life for an abused child is a patriot. The person who carefully evaluates government policy and openly disagrees with some of it because of the direction it takes our country is a patriot.

A brief essay cannot describe all the traits we value. What are defining traits? Several are consistently there. The patriot is looking ahead, yearning for a productive future for coming generations. A patriot is willing to criticize, even strongly, when government actions do not meet that standard. Patriots commit to each other in community.

Oddly, July 4th is the day we declare it to be. It was not the date of the adoption or the signing or the public announcement. No matter. We have declared July 4 and so it is. We declare our vision to each other through our acts. We act to secure the future of our neighbor's grandchildren. We declare that diversity of views, of personal talent, of language and culture -- is not a handicap, but a gift. We declare that we will accept and develop those gifts. We commit to each other. Patriots declare, “Let it be so.”

Lowen Kruse