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Home  Random Letters What Is a Patriot?
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What Is a Patriot? |
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Sunday, 13 July 2008 |
Recently, I read an article in your paper by the publisher, James Allen. The article was about how an old acquaintance of Mr. Allen scolded him for being “unpatriotic” for not standing during the playing of our national anthem. Mr. Allen wrote about himself being a conscientious objector and he doesn’t recite the pledge of allegiance because it’s his personal protest of the “pavlovian recitation of hypocrisy that we Americans so blindly follow.” Mr. Allen’s half-page article made some references to what he does as a journalist is somehow patriotic in its own way, therefore without saying so he implied he is a patriot for what he does and how he conducts himself.
I’m not sure what dictionary Mr. Allen used for his article. He must have used the one that had a very, very, very broad definition of patriot and patriotism. I believe I know the true meaning of patriot. It is something I learned in school and see everyday. It is those men and woman that have worn and wear the uniform of our country. It is the members of the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and the Coast Guard that have sacrificed their lives for the rights, liberties, freedoms, safety and protection of others and have never asked to be thanked or recognized for their efforts. And I know what patriotism is. It is the acts of citizens that make their country great by everyday acts of selflessness and dedication, either in government, science, the military, business, community service, or education and inspire others to do the same.
Unlike Mr. Allen, I say the pledge of allegiance with pride and I stand with my hand over my heart during the national anthem because I choose to, not because I’m a robot. I fly the American flag on my front porch every day and night because I respect the flag and what it symbolizes, not only to me, but to millions of people all over the world. And I fly the flag because we have brave men and women in uniform doing dangerous things around the world for me and my fellow citizens. It is my way of showing I respect them and I respect what they are doing. They are working hard to ensure I continue to have rights, liberties, freedoms and protections. Their presence around the world guarantees that the strength of the U.S. Constitution stays intact. It is that Constitution, and the flag that so many real patriots have fought, sacrificed and died to protect. It is also the same constitution that allows Mr. Allen to imply he is a patriot by what he does.
Please advise Mr. Allen that he is not a patriot. He is a citizen/journalist exercising his rights under the constitution the same as any other citizen and journalist. Mr. Allen does not have to stand during the national anthem or recite the pledge of allegiance. That’s his right. Mr. Allen can also write and claim to be anything he wants to be. And if Mr. Allen would ever decide to thank those real patriots for those rights he is exercising, I’m sure they would just say “you are welcome, Mr.Allen.”
Chuck Hawley
San Pedro, Calif.
Editor’s Note: Mr. Hawley is a member of the Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council.
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