Patriotism: To me, it is exemplified by the lump I get in my throat when I see a young man or young woman dressed in the uniform of our country at an airport either returning from a dangerous place or going to one. Or a service man or woman returning home from basic or boot training or returning to report for duty after leave at home is over. It is the gratitude I feel for being able to live in a country where I am free to think, write and say what I please, a place where one can disagree with the point of view of another and still be friends. It is the freedom to travel wherever I please within the borders of my country without having to produce a passport or a driver's license to some federal official.

It's the tingly feeling I get when I hear "The Star Spangled Banner" or "America the Beautiful" performed the way the composer intended it to be heard.

It's responding to your Country's needs when called upon instead of boarding a bus to another country. It is the sadness of seeing and hearing a bugler blow taps over the grave of a young person who has lost his or her life in the service of our country.

It's paying taxes when due to pay for our national security, federal highway system and needed social services.

It has NOTHING to do with political parties:Democrat, Republican, Green or Independent.

I'm older than most of the folks on this forum I would guess, and when I was young we were taught patriotism in our schools. We learned the pledge of allegiance at an early age, and we also learned to respect and salute our flag when appropriate.

I doubt that much of that stuff is taught anymore because one must be politically correct in these "progressive" days, and one must not run the risk of hurting the feelings of those who may or may not believe or feel as you do.

I thank God every day of my life for having been born in the United States of America and I'm not ashamed to admit it.

DougR