American Patriotism: a Reflection of Love for Our Country

Introduction
While preparing to write this particular article, this writer found that it was not as easy to put these words together as it was for the other articles written by me. It was discovered that this was because I was trying to write an article excluding my own opinion. When discussing this particular subject, there is no way my own opinion could honestly be excluded. It seems that everyone has an opinion, these days, on the subject of "Patriotism." Why should I be any different.

What I will not merely give my own opinion, but to formulate ideas to get the reader to ponder their own degree of patriotism. The true purpose of this article is to put the concept of American Patriotism in the minds of all who live in this country.

What does it really mean to be patriotic? This question has been pondered over for quite some time by this writer. I have read a whole lot of information about the subject of patriotism. I found, for me, it was a much bigger issue then I had once thought. It was discovered that I could not just answer this question in a simple statement. My very ideals, beliefs, values, morals, and the foundation of who I am is grounded into the concept of patriotism as with all Americans. This fact alone may not make me a patriotic person, but it is something to build on. Our heritage usually provides the foundation of our patriotism. Certain things we are raised to believe.

I have often wondered how many people actually view patriotism as one of their own attributes. Do they consider themselves patriotic?

The events of September 11, 2001 and the War in Iraq, which began on March 19, 2003 have made us all challenge our own patriotism. There is no way I wish to enter into the debate of the war, but I will express certain ideas about the war. These events shape and have forever changed the way we look at our own freedoms and our own safety within our own borders. As in other areas of our lives, we are never able to deal with the concept of loosing our freedoms or our safety until we are faced with the realization that they can disappear.