What does "patriotism" mean to you?

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Dec 2013 16:24:09 -0500

This is a term so closely tied to discussions on military service, that it seems we have to pose the question... what exactly does 'patriotism' mean to you? We've discussed those things that have brought us to military service, and a whole host of other related topics; so, let's take a moment to pause and think, exactly what does this mean to each of us. There are no rules here other than to display respect for all service members, of all ranks, and in all statuses. That said, I'm sure that this will be a fun and interesting discussion; so, think for a moment... what does 'patriotism' mean to you, ad how has this concept shaped your perception of the military or service? Now, pull up a keyboard and let's get this thing started; thank you for all that you do, and... see you all in the discussion threads!

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Dec 5 at 2013 6:09 PM

SGM Matthew Quick — Thu, 05 Dec 2013 18:09:26 -0500

Honorable and faithful service to our country, without regard to the political ideologies that govern us.<br><br>Example:  I will serve my country regardless of who the Commander-in-Chief or Defense Secretary is or what political party they are associated with.  My service to country is bigger than those positions.

Response by PFC Earl Herman made Feb 11 at 2014 10:36 AM

PFC Earl Herman — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 10:36:11 -0500

I think that Patriotism is the belief in the original ideals of our founding fathers. The framework of our system of government and the willingness to defend it.

Response by 1SG Michael Minton made Feb 11 at 2014 12:03 PM

1SG Michael Minton — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 12:03:48 -0500

Patriotism? I think it is the Love of...... our country,....... our way of life,...... the people that serve and sacrifice to defend it. Patriot? the Indivuals that are willing to serve, sacrifice and possibly give their life to protect our country and our way of life, regardless as to which political party is in power.

Response by CH (CPT) Heather Davis made Feb 11 at 2014 12:18 PM

CH (CPT) Heather Davis — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 12:18:24 -0500

MAJ Burns:

Patriotism, when I look at the greater good for all. Red represents the blood of our Soldiers who have died for our country.

The sacrifice, pain, purpose, and passion bond all of those that served, and are presently serving to support and defend the constitution of the United Sates of America.

The deepened quest to rise above comfort and serve with all of your heart. This passion conquers fears, and is true faith beliefs about serving God and Country. It is a pure selfless service that is above all the greatest gift to the next generation.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Feb 11 at 2014 12:28 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 12:28:16 -0500

My definition:

Patriotism

"My country is better than yours, because I was born in it!"

Response by PFC Earl Herman made Feb 11 at 2014 2:00 PM

PFC Earl Herman — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 14:00:14 -0500

In addition to my original response, essentially, the CORE belief of the ideals. Its more than orders, motto's etc. What we do to advance those ideals. Books have been written on the subject. (Could be a rather long discussion). The Pledge, Oath, National Anthem, they all have very deep meanings to those who are and aspire to be Patriot's and Patriotic.

Response by PO2 Rocky Kleeger made Apr 17 at 2014 11:29 PM

PO2 Rocky Kleeger — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 23:29:31 -0400

Support for your country and her troops.  It doesn't, necessarily mean support for your government officials.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2014 4:49 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 16:49:25 -0500

We are all like a living breathing organism collectively and we do our job loyal to the nation we represent. When we work together there is no more powerful organization anywhere.

Response by MSG Floyd Williams made Nov 25 at 2015 1:18 PM

MSG Floyd Williams — Wed, 25 Nov 2015 13:18:10 -0500

Patriotism means to me being loyal and serving your country, and help building and keeping it safe.

Response by A1C Brad Whittington made Nov 24 at 2017 11:40 PM

A1C Brad Whittington — Fri, 24 Nov 2017 23:40:42 -0500

No country is greater then the US. Great men have given for Old Glory. All have some some gave all

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2017 11:43 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Nov 2017 23:43:17 -0500

Simple. To serve your country. Period.

Response by SGT Brian Pasquarelli made Jun 15 at 2022 7:42 PM

SGT Brian Pasquarelli — Wed, 15 Jun 2022 19:42:50 -0400

Dedication

Response by SPC David Batterson made Jun 15 at 2022 8:54 PM

SPC David Batterson — Wed, 15 Jun 2022 20:54:27 -0400

The Vietnam War tore our country apart. I've always considered myself a patriot, even though I don't fly the US flag at my place, even on July 4. I don't have to prove it, for it to be real. I didn't like US flag-burners, but I was opposed to any prosecution of those who did this. Freedom of speech and expression is part of what makes our nation so outstanding. When I was drafted in the '60s, I was opposed to the war. But I went into the Army, and served my country. I was even more against the war two years later when I became a citizen again. Patriotism is not blind-loyalty, but rather caring so much about the US that you will speak out when our country is taking the wrong path. I did so because I was a patriot.

Response by CH (1LT) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2022 7:16 PM

CH (1LT) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 19:16:54 -0400

God and country and others before oneself

Response by Maj Roberto Benitez made Jun 30 at 2022 4:30 AM

Maj Roberto Benitez — Thu, 30 Jun 2022 04:30:09 -0400

Patriotism is dedication to our country based on concepts of trust, honor, duty. For us American servicemen it's found in our oath to SERVE and DEFEND the CONSTITUTION, not land, ethnicity, parties, or leaders. It's a dedication and belief in the concepts the Founders and Framers strove for, a democratic (VERY small d) REPUBLIC with an exegetically interpreted Constitution and free market economy.

Response by PO2 Irvin D. Etscorn made Jul 10 at 2022 2:34 AM

PO2 Irvin D. Etscorn — Sun, 10 Jul 2022 02:34:48 -0400

To believe in and to love your God, Family, and Country.

Response by TSgt Maureen Flynn made Jul 21 at 2022 1:12 PM

TSgt Maureen Flynn — Thu, 21 Jul 2022 13:12:41 -0400

Patriotism means being proud of our country and willing to die for our country’s freedom (not for a coup to keep a corrupt, power hungry person in office). I understand how so many military fell victim to believing Jan 6th was about saving our democracy and keeping the real presidential winner in office. If you repeat a lie enough times, people will believe it! All of the far-right pundits were pushing a stolen election and suggesting we needed to do whatever was needed to protect our country and president. It didn’t help that members of Congress and the WH lied to us as well! But what happened on Jan 6th was not Patriotism, those that were part of it were not Patriots (including Congressman and WH officials). Patriotism means staying true to our Country and our Constitution, not any one man or woman! It’s being loyal to one person can can cause us to lose our democracy and way of life! There’s a reason why we ELECT our President rather than allow them to retain power at all cost. If you truly believe Trump is still the real president, watch all of the Jan 6th hearings and see how he was trying to use our prior military (who are known for our dedication and loyalty at all costs) to stay in office after losing the Electoral Vote, Popular Vote, almost every court case brought, tried to force state election officials to change their count even after certification. He’s still doing so even this month! This is nothing more than a sore loser trying to become a dictator! Patriotism is faithfulness to our country and constitution, not to a cry baby man that doesn’t like losing!

Response by PFC Tom Vogel made Jul 27 at 2022 9:03 PM

PFC Tom Vogel — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 21:03:27 -0400

Honorable and faithful service to our country

Response by SN Michael Gay made Jul 27 at 2022 10:53 PM

SN Michael Gay — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 22:53:35 -0400

Honor, respect, and love for the concept of country and service.

Response by PFC Ray Gibb made Jul 28 at 2022 2:31 PM

PFC Ray Gibb — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 14:31:45 -0400

Patriotism; Loving ones country to the point of volunteering to protect her. Whether this is joining a branch of the military, or running for office, to guarantee the Constitution is not destroyed, and that the Country grows strong and vivarent!

Response by Cpl Peter Murphy made Jul 29 at 2022 1:17 AM

Cpl Peter Murphy — Fri, 29 Jul 2022 01:17:51 -0400

love of country

Response by SGT McTony King made Jul 30 at 2022 1:12 AM

SGT McTony King — Sat, 30 Jul 2022 01:12:17 -0400

It all boils down to the day you enlisted and the oath you had taken, “I will support and defend the constitution of the united states of America”. As the Marine corp saying goes, “God country corp”. I served in the army and Air Force but each branch has its own moto but it all boils down to first, The Constitution of the United States of America that “This we’ll defend” and I believe a good soldiers creed is God Country branch and family. It doesn’t matter your beliefs in politics BUT, if you serve under a command or commanders and your ordered to perform a duty or action outside of our constitution or outside of military regulations or again ordered to perform an action that will or would unduly harm yourself or that of another then under the UCMJ you are bound to refuse that order. Life and limb was the definition for that at the time but however with the growing amount of violators today and us not allowed to ‘pop their ass’ and take them out, I feel 110% the action to be taken is to revert back to our great American Constitution and violations outside of that should and need to be dealt with in a swift and timely manner being it combat or not. With that in mind, if an order is received by a commander who is not in his correct state of mind or is simply like our current Commander in Chief, as a lower enlisted I would have to refuse all orders knowing there coming from a teleprompter written by someone else, and as an officer I would recommend and or demand article 25 be implemented and his orders refused and he be removed and by force if necessary. God save our America and bless each and every soldier living or otherwise.

Response by Sgt Victor Arce made Sep 6 at 2022 11:09 PM

Sgt Victor Arce — Tue, 06 Sep 2022 23:09:07 -0400

Love of country..

Response by SGT Robert Collins made Sep 14 at 2022 6:30 PM

SGT Robert Collins — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 18:30:05 -0400

Patriotism starts when you are a child growing up and some of us take it to the next level by becoming a member of the armed forces and honorable doing our job to protect our country and never take a knee during our national anthem, always follow orders and always respect our fellow veterans, I have seen so much disrespect for my flag and my country that it is sometimes embarrassing to say I am a veteran and to all of the men and who are now serving this,Thank you for carrying on a proud tradition.

Response by SP5 Antonio Kennedy made Dec 28 at 2022 10:53 PM

SP5 Antonio Kennedy — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 22:53:33 -0500

Mean standing up for what’s right and taking care of home first before anyone else.

Response by Lt Col Timothy Cassidy-Curtis made Dec 29 at 2022 12:40 AM

Lt Col Timothy Cassidy-Curtis — Thu, 29 Dec 2022 00:40:16 -0500

Patriotism has three elements:
1. Understanding the system under which we are governed, starting with the Constitution
2. Making a commitment to defend the ideals of the Constitution (see above)
3. Having the determination to stick with your commitment (see above) as your highest priority.

Response by Cpl Bernard Bates made Dec 29 at 2022 3:11 PM

Cpl Bernard Bates — Thu, 29 Dec 2022 15:11:18 -0500

I was born in Aug. of 41. I grew up with all the veterans of WWII. If a veteran saw me doing something I wasn't supposed to be doing, They would correct me, didn't make any difference if they knew me or not. I soon learned right from wrong. In grade school We said the pledge of allegance every morning. This lasted for 8 years. Almost every family had a member in the military. It instilled patriotism in me. I enlisted in the Marine Corp. when I was 17. It seemed like the right thing to do. Civilians respected service men and women back then. The VietNam war changed everything. Nothing has been the same since. All the politicans wear a Flag pin on their lapel. A lot of people hide behind the flag but their not patriots. I often wondered If the draft had to be used, how many people of draft age would want to go? Semper Fi.

Response by SSG Steve Knox made Dec 30 at 2022 10:48 AM

SSG Steve Knox — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 10:48:11 -0500

Self-sacrifice in the name of God for your fellowman no matter who they are, where they come from, or what they believe.

Response by SGT Steven Bolander made Dec 30 at 2023 10:27 AM

SGT Steven Bolander — Sat, 30 Dec 2023 10:27:01 -0500

Whenever I mention to someone who has obvious liberal leanings that I'm a patriot, a frequent response is "oh, so you're one of those." So, I'm supposedly "one of THOSE?"

It's sad that patriotism doesn't exist across the board amongst ALL of us who prosper from the greatness of this wonderful country. Truly sad.