Well, it may be impossible to define, because it is so many things. In this Fourth of July weekend we find many ways to overtly demonstrate our love of country, but do we really understand what it means to sacrifice for the country in a profound demonstration such as is made by many of our young men and women who often serve quietly and without fanfare some of the jobs that help maintain our basic freedoms.
Visiting a son in the Grand Rapids area, we accompanied him to church before leaving to return home and I was brought to tears by a rendition of the Star Spangled Banner by a young lady of the church. I stood as straight as I could and saluted the flag and was flooded with memories of times gone by. Iım sure everyone felt as I did and most will have maintained the thoughts throughout the days ahead.
But, is patriotism only those momentary times when we are confronted with a flag that is part of a parade or we are asked to pledge allegiance to that flag?
Can you look at the flag and see the millions of people of every nationality and color who make up he country that is represented by that flag?
Can you see the Constitution of this great nation, unfettered by the myriad mis-interpretations, and can you look at our immigration laws and, seeing mistakes, do what you can to make the corrections that will grant to others the access to freedom that is a part of everyones' heritage?
Patriotism goes beyond the love of flag and country and reaches out to love and respect others and their mode of worship and their cultural foundations brought with them from their home country. Being an American, who is also an Ojibwe, I am somewhat belatedly becoming aware of the culture of my own people and its importance in our lives.
Patriotism is a respect of self and of the community and of the family and of the tribe and having the breadth of vision to see that others are equally deserving.
Patriotism is a respect of freedom of speech and the realization that freedom of speech does not grant you the right to speak as to cause another harm.
Patriotism is the recognition that, while we all have the right to worship as we please, our nation does have a strong Christian foundation. Our Constitution prevents the usurpation of governmental powers by Christianity and prevents government from interfering with the Christians' freedom of worship. This freedom extends to all belief systems.
Patriotism is active and it sharing and caring for all those we know and love and for those yet to come into our presence. It is the caring for those people who make this country worth fighting for.
Bill LeBlanc is an elder of the Bay Mills Indian Community. He is retired from State government where he worked as an Indian advocate. He currently resides on the Bay Mills Indian Reservation.
