Patriotism is defined differently for different people

  • Published
  • By Capt. Tim Heintzelman
  • 86th Security Forces Squadron
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AFPN) --  I hear the word "American" and the first things that come to mind for me are the “Stars and Bars,” the Bald Eagle and the Statue of Liberty. These are all signs of our great nation, and most of us can relate to these images. But what does it mean to be an American? With the 4th of July holiday coming up, I struggled with this recently.

Three times a year -- Memorial Day, Veteran’s Day and Fourth of July -- we reflect on the sacrifices of the men and women who have gone before us. On these days, Americans come together to honor those who have done so much for our nation and who have united Americans through hardships.

Sept. 11, 2001, should also have close to the same significance. With the unbearable grief it brought, a sense of unity began to emerge too.

People were proud to be American even though they were going through one of our nation’s roughest times. But does it take an event as devastating as that to get people to see what is around them and to produce Americans that are proud of their country? I began to think that was the case until I really looked around.

After Sept. 11, the nation rallied around the goal of combating terrorism. Then people began to take our presence in Afghanistan as routine, even as Americans were dying in this foreign country.

Next, the build up outside Iraq began. Debates and anti-war demonstrations, many of them in our own nation, took place about whether or not we should go into Iraq.

After we attacked Iraq, again a sense of unity rose and most Americans were concerned for and proud of their servicemembers fighting the war.

Now that the war is over, many Americans again view our presence in Iraq as routine. Yet, you can pick up the paper almost everyday and read about one of our fellow Americans dying in this country far from the borders of our great nation.

There are still wounded Americans transiting in and out of our military hospitals who serve America with distinction, but because the “war” is over, you hear very little about them.

As I started writing this commentary, I began to wonder if we had lost sight of the true meaning of being an American. I also became disheartened to the fact that maybe for Americans, patriotism and love of country had deminished. But, it is the little things I see as I look around me in everyday life that remind me that it is still there. You just have to look for it.

It is your 6-year-old daughter reciting the Pledge of Allegiance that she learned in school.

It is the security forces members who ensure everyone sleeps well at night because they keep the base safe.

It is the aircrew member who flies all night and unloads an aircraft in 100-plus degree heat.

It is the teacher who makes sure that our children are prepared for the future.

And, it is the mechanic who works diligently to fix a vehicle or airplane so that the mission can get done.

I could go on and on.

Pride in America means so many different things to different people. It is all based on one’s perspective. Pride is an individual feeling and doesn’t have to come from a life-changing event.

Pride in being an American can be evident in even the smallest, most obscure places. I realized there are so many things that make me proud to be an American, but the question is – what are you proud of? (Courtesy of USAFE News Service)