American patriot, or jumping on the band wagon?

Last night I was having a discussion with my cousin. He wanted a picture of a confederate flag for his phone and was looking for someone to to send him a picture of one. I told him that to me the confederate flag was about oppression and racism. He said it was about heritage and freedom, to which I replied it had a heritage of hate and racism. His problem boiled down to the fact that he didn't like the way the government is being run and then called him self an American patriot and sent me a picture of an American flag hanging on his front room wall. For some reason it made me think about the word patriot, and what it means. I have a flag in my front yard, the declaration of independence hanging in my office and the original amendments next to it, yet I don't consider myself a "patriot," I simply love my country and the principles it was founded on. I've never picked up arms to defend her, I've never been forced to risk my life to ensure the flag continues to fly. Hell I've never even been threatened for my love of this country.



The dictionary defines the word patriot very simply. "Pa·tri·ot (pta-tre-et-ot) n. One who loves, supports, and defends one's country." I love my country, I support my leaders when I can, but I've never had to defend m country. I think to call your self a patriot when you have never had to pick up arms and defend her is an insult to the men and women who defend and protect this country every day! The problem we have as a country is we think we are "owed" everything with out earning it, you must earn the title patriot. Let me give you an example.

Retired Army Col. Van T. Barfoot, a World War II veteran was awarded the lofty Congressional honor for standing up to three German tanks with a bazooka and stopping their advance while at the same time taking out multiple pill boxes and rescuing 2 wounded comrades. He was also awarded the purple heart. He continued his service after WWII and fought in Korea and Vietnam before retiring from the service in 1974.



That's is an American patriot! He earned that title. Now the sad part to this hero's story is he is being sued by his home owners association for putting a flag pole in HIS OWN FRONT YARD!! Where have we gone wrong in this country? In my book someone who received a medal of honor, a purple heart, and fought in 3 different wars can do almost anything they want, because they earned it! Read the story @ http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705349019/WWII-vet-fights-homeowners-group-over-flagpole.html
I have a love for my country that runs very deep in me, that's not to say I don't think my government does despicable things in the name of my country, but it does mean I would defend her if the need arose. I am no patriot, that title is reserved for those who have fought and died for her.