On Patriotism....

Patriotism is defined as "devoted love, support, and defense of one's country; national loyalty;" "love of country and willingness to sacrifice for it;" and "love of country; devotion to the welfare of one's country; the virtues and actions of a patriot; the passion which inspires one to serve one's country." Patriotism to me embodies an unconditional reciprocal relationship between one's country and one's spirit; a relationship in which both give for each other, each benefitting from the other; a relationship where the unique and diverse qualities and characteristic of both the individual and the nation are not only accepted but encouraged; a relationship in which the history of each one is an integral part to the history of the nation.
Both candidates for President of the United States have displayed unmistakable patriotism. Both have contributed significantly to the continued growth and development of our relatively young nation. Both have sacrificed many years, albeit through disparate journeys, for the causes of our country. Each have demanded and effected change within the systems, the hearts, the minds, and souls of America. And, for this, we should all be truly grateful.
John McCain served in the US military, fighting in one of the most gruesome wars in American history. He sacrificed much of his life to defend our nation, to save our soldiers, and to promote a positive change in our government. While some of his plans for America might have been contrary to my own personal beliefs, the immense effort and passion that he thrust behind them still managed to stir something within me. His story as a Prisoner of War (POW) is inspiring and serves as a great testament to John McCain's courage and selflessness. His service to the United States can never go unappreciated.
Barack Obama didn't follow the traditional military path. Instead, this great orator has appealed to the masses through their hearts. He has triggered a surge of deep patriotism that has not been felt to this extent in my lifetime.
Of course, after 9/11 everyone was temporarily patriotic. But, it was temporary. Most people resumed their lives, thinking about it as the media blasted it, but dismissing it during the commerical breaks. Some put up flags as a reminder of this country's greatness, some wore wrist bands, some wore lapel flag pins, some sent a donation to organizations that helped others. And, true indeed, some felt their lives changing as that second plane hit the World Trade Center towers. Some felt a sense of patriotism so strong that they left the security of their jobs to help restore America, some enlisted in the US Armed Forces, some took in displaced children. But still, the masses went profoundly unaffected. The effect of the blasts was superficial, shrouded in controversy, and filled with judgment of many: of our government, our President, our nation, and even our neighbors. In many situations, 9/11 caused such an intense fear, not patriotism, that the very diversity that makes this country great, was replaced with separatist hatred. Now, anyone resembling a Muslim, was a terrorist.
Now, Obama may never have served in the Armed Forces. But he has rolled up his sleeves to work in some of the most desperate neighborhoods in this country, making the point that wearing a uniform doesn't make you a patriot. It's not what you wear that defines you, it's who you are inside, as he explained when the media lambasted him for not wearing the 9/11 lapel pin. His patriotism is very deep and sincere and he won this election not just because he came up with an economic plan, but because he incited that patriotic spirit in the atoms of our nation. He reached out to the smallest part of our nation: each person. He, unlike anyone I've ever seen before, recognized the importance of each individual in the success of a nation. He recognized that WE must work to repair America, not just our elected officials. He started from the bottom and reached the "mountaintop" that Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke about.
Yes, we made history. We will see the first African-American President ever in America. That is awesome. But more awesome than the color of his skin, was his ability to move people to action. More people registered to vote than in any previous election. People were moved to see past color lines, past party lines, and beyond those things that divide us. Instead his campaign focused on all that made us America, all that united us. That's patriotism. Working from the bottom, devoting time, energy, love, money, and sacrificing for the welfare of America, and inspiring others to do the same is patriotism. He made this fight one for America. WE campaigned, WE sacrificed, WE devoted time, WE believed in something greated than "me," WE believed in US!
Now, WE must continue to work, to strive for change, to work together, to endure together, to make sacrifices, and to lend ourselves for America. Obama is the elected leader, but as such we must do our part to help him to help us be the US we can be. YES WE CAN!