True Patriotism (In The Us)

The first time that swimmer Michael Phelps earned a gold medal in the 29th Olympic Games, the national anthem of the United States was played during his medal ceremony in the Beijing Water Cube. Tears streamed down his face as he listened to the anthem of his country. In the comfort of my own home, I watched this historic moment, and went into a pensive mood. Over and over, I thought about patriotism in relation to the national anthem. I realized that I associated patriotism with things that really seemed superficial compared to the depth of the word. I thought that there HAD to be much more to patriotism than the American flag, the national anthem, and the Fourth of July.

My search for the true meaning of patriotism intrigued me so much that I researched it on the Internet. Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary defines patriotism as “love for or devotion to one’s country”. This short but concise dictionary definition made me realize that I did, and always had known what patriotism really was. Patriotism in its truest and purest form is nothing short of giving one’s all for his or her country. True patriotism is show by putting one’s life on the line to defend one’s country or sacrificing time and energy to better one’s community through volunteer work. I realized that there were more true patriots than the founding fathers, and that there are modern day patriots that exemplify the same level of patriotism as they did.

From performing small acts of neighborly kindness to serving in the armed forces, to working as a police officer or firefighter, many citizens of the United States prove themselves to be patriots of the highest order. The truest patriots are those who put much more on the line every day for their country than any other person: their lives. These brave men and women put their very lives at risk for their country every single day, whether they serve their country through joining the armed forces, keeping the streets safe as police officers, or regulating fire safety as firefighters. In doing so, these men and women prove that they are patriots of the same level as Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, or any of the other American founding fathers. I guess I really wasn’t wrong; even though patriotism goes further than skin deep, the American flag, the national anthem, and the Fourth of July are important symbols of patriotism.