On the one hand, I would say that I am patriotic. I served over twenty years on active duty in the U.S. military. I was compensated for my service and the service itself doesn’t construe automatic patriotism; many people who have betrayed the U.S. claimed they were patriotic. I have stood with my hand held in a salute or over my heart to honor my flag and my nation.
But those are gestures, and there is the nub of the problem. I’m probably splitting hairs but this is an era of hair-splitting. My patriotism is not to a flag nor a nation, people, concept, party, or individual. I swore to defend and protect the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. It’s the basis of our laws and the foundation of our government. And although my military service is completed, that oath is engraved in my spirit.
So, I don’t know if I’m patriotic. I’m not fond of my nation now and what is being done to it. But with that oath in mind, I will fight for the principles on which it was founded as proclaimed in the Constitution and its amendments until the very end, no matter the outcome.
Michael Seidel, writer 
Thank you for your service.
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Thank you, Lee. My pleasure to serve.
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Also thank you for your patriotism!
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Back at you, kiddo. Cheers
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Patriotism is a love of one’s country. Sometimes, the most patriotic thing to do is to advocate for some changes. In others it is to fight to maintain its core values and institutions. I have no doubts about your patriotism and I appreciate how you put it into perspective. Very interesting.
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Thank you, Jessica. I agree it’s often complex and fluid. I appreciate your thoughts. Cheers
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