What is Patriotism? Thank You, Veterans

I attended the Texas Veterans’ Military Show in Bullard this past weekend and saw the outpouring of patriotism from the proud active duty and veterans who served our Country.
So I started thinking exactly what is patriotism? Is it saluting the American flag or placing your hand over your heart for the national anthem? Is it simply placing a flag in your front yard?
We are all too aware of the divisive political rhetoric in our country with mudslinging, name calling, violent demonstrations and seemingly contempt for any authority that doesn’t agree with our point of view, yet none of that was present Saturday in Bullard.
So what does patriotism really mean?
Patriotism isn’t just waving a flag on the Fourth of July or standing during the national anthem. At its core, it’s about having a deep respect and love for America, its ideals, and its people. True patriotism is more than words or symbols; it’s about action and working to make our country the best it can be.
It involves pride in our nation’s accomplishments, appreciation for our freedoms, and a willingness to protect them. But it also includes recognizing when our country falls short of its ideals and striving to make it better, not only for ourselves but for future generations.
Patriotism takes many forms, some highly visible and others more subtle:
Men and women who put on a uniform and stand ready to defend our freedoms demonstrate the highest level of commitment.
Volunteering at a local food pantry, serving on a school board, or helping during a natural disaster are also patriotic acts.
Voting, staying informed on local issues, and participating in public discussions are ways to ensure our nation remains strong.
Honoring the flag, our national anthem, and the sacrifices of those who came before us are everyday ways of showing national pride.
In small towns like ours, patriotism shines brightly during local parades, high school football games when the anthem is played, and community events like Veterans Day ceremonies. These moments remind us that our shared values are bigger than our differences.
As President Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the president or any other public official, save exactly to the degree in which he himself stands by the country.”
Patriotism is the heartbeat of a nation. It reminds us that we are part of something larger than ourselves. When we come together in unity, whether during times of joy or hardship we strengthen not only our country but our communities as well. We saw that as a nation after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the terrorist attacks of 9-11. We all came together and shared the grief and resolved to take action.
In Cherokee County and towns like Rusk, Jacksonville, Alto, Wells and Troup, patriotism is woven into the fabric of everyday life. It shows up in small acts of kindness, in moments of remembrance for those who have served. My Dad was a bombardier on a B-17 in WWII, but I never fully understood his sacrifices for his country until he passed away. Listening to speakers Saturday and hearing the heroic tales from Metal of Honor recipients or of others who gave their lives protecting American values and way-of-life, I realized the significance of our veterans. They sacrificed for us. You and me and our families. We all woke up this morning to our freedoms and it wasn’t something we earned except by the veterans who fought and died against America’s enemies.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John15:13
So as a proud American who can walk and travel freely and practice my religion, I thank each one of the veteran’s I met Saturday in Bullard and to every man or woman that has ever served our Country. Thank you for your service.