Patriotism

Patriotism: national loyalty, devotional love; these are just a few ways to describe what patriotism means. People ask "Is patriotism still essential to the American tradition?” Of course it is. With patriotism comes the respect for your neighbors, respect for your country, and respect for all. If the United States was without patriotism we wouldn't be united; even though we'd still have the land, we wouldn't have a reason to make the land united.

Almost halfway across the world, American men and women are fighting 24/7 around the clock against the Taliban. Not because they were ordered to or because they think they are going to become famous, but because somewhere in their conscience, there's a part of them saying they have to finish what they started, for us, back home. These are the people who we should be showing patriotism to.

Many of us play games where we are a soldier, whether it is “Call Of Duty” or “Medal Of Honor”, we all play them; it is a lot fun and when you die you can start-over from your last checkpoint with no harm done except some negative stats. Well these people don't have a start over button on their lives. They aren't fighting for trophies or experience points; they fight for our freedom. They are risking life and limb so we Americans won't lose our rights and lives as well. All they ask for is respect and do they get it? Sure, on Fourth of July and Labor Day, but we should show respect every time we see the people in uniform; we should thank them with the most sincere amounts of gratitude from the bottom of our hearts. By showing patriotism to all, we as the United States can have a utopian country where there will be no wars, but peace throughout the land.