This weekend Americans are celebrating a day to remember and honor those fallen heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice, their lives, to protect Americans. We call this day Memorial Day where patriotism is on full display between the blog posts, online articles to social media postings.
Patriotism as defined by Merriam-Webster is:
“Love for one devotion to one’s country.”
The Cambridge Dictionary (online) takes the above definition one step further:
“The feeling of loving your country more than any others and being proud of it.”
My Swedish grandparents who immigrated legally into the U.S. had a love for America and were very proud to become U.S. citizens. When they immigrated in the early 1920’s, the only person who could speak and write English was my grandmother. She taught my grandfather and her children English. The only time Swedish was spoken was when my grandparents did not want the children to understand what was being said.
I witnessed my grandparents love for this country, but their love for America did not mean they forgot or did not love their Swedish heritage or culture. What it did mean is they brought their moral and work ethics to America. Both worked very hard to purchase 40 acres of land, build a barn and a homestead in Northwest Wisconsin. During the Depression, they moved to Chicago to find work so they could pay the taxes on the family farm.
For those died, for those who have served and for those now serving, they embody patriotism. For them, love meant the willingness to give their lives for this country.
Now for we who are not retired or active military, our patriotism may be the flying of “Old Glory,” to understanding and respecting our Constitution to being proud of our country by our own words and actions.
Yes, patriotism is not a one day, one weekend celebration!
Patriotism is every day!
For me, I know I would not wish to live in any other country!
#LetsGetBackToRealConversations #WeDoThingsDifferently
Leanne M Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent Who Goes the Extra Mile Because Life Begins Where the Pavement Ends.
Feature Photo Courtesy of Leanne M Smith - Flag Flying at K Bar L Ranch, Golden Valley, AZ
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