Joyful Patriots

Independence Day never seems quite right unless I attend a good ol’ downtown parade. We haven’t had opportunities to attend any in the past several years; but, this year, I heard about one in a nearby town that supposedly was this town’s “thing.” It’s a big to-do, drawing in thousands of people from all over, no matter how hot it gets. I was going to have to attend as the solo parent with the children, so I debated whether I wanted to fight the chaos and heat. But I remembered how much I enjoyed Fourth of July parades as a child, and I wanted my children to experience the same joyful events.

They are quite the little patriotic military brats, and though they’ve attended small parades for other events, I knew this one would be different and special.

A  Joyful Start!

So, off we went in our red, white, and blue! Surprisingly, we found decent parking and were even able to connect with some friends to watch together. The children got situated in their mini lawn chairs, our friends gave them some flags to wave, and the parade began.

And as it went, every individual person or group walking in that parade received a loud, “yaaaaay!!!!” from my children and their friends, along with exuberant flag waving and a “Happy Independence Day!” shouted every now and then.

Even the boring acts (you know, just a simple truck advertising a business, or a very plain float) received this elation. It made me laugh to see these parade participants completely light up when the children offered them all of their joy.

Pure Joy…..

To dress in patriotic colors.

To celebrate America’s birthday.

To experience such life and excitement.

To feel proud to be an American.

To be honored to stand and put their hand over their hearts for the national anthem.

To be a part of something big.

Because, as military brats, they fully understand the sacrifices made to birth this country. And they are living the sacrifices now as their daddy serves, and they serve with him.

This is patriotism.

Innocent, beautiful, devoted patriotism.

My first year of college, I wrote an expository paper on patriotism. Below is an excerpt:

Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines patriotism as “Love of one’s country; the passion which aims to serve one’s country, either in defending it from invasion, or protecting its rights and maintaining its laws and institutions in vigor and purity. Patriotism is the characteristic of a good citizen, the noblest passion that animates a man in the character of a citizen.”

My first taste of patriotism was attending the town parade on the Fourth of July at a very young age. The high school marching band began by playing the national anthem and raising the flag. I stood small in front of my dad.

 

He grabbed my right arm and told me to put my hand over my heart and to look at the flag. I looked around at the many people surrounding me. Some were standing, only some with their hands over their hearts. Some took their hats off, while others left them on. Some were still seated in their lawn chairs, and still others were talking.

 

Every year at that parade, my dad told me that it was my duty to stand up when I heard the anthem, put my hand over my heart, and look at the flag. At times I felt embarrassed because kids my age didn’t do that, and many adults didn’t either. As I got older, I realized the importance behind this respectful action and how my generation was losing that respect.

At the point in writing that paper, I hadn’t yet met my husband. Little did I know I’d later marry into the military, raise military brats, and at times experience our country losing even more respect. I now find it my duty to not only model what I have learned, but to actively teach my children what patriotism should look like. I do think it comes a little easier as a military family. Patriotism becomes inherent. We’re surrounded by the patriots, themselves.

Maybe then, I can help my children be living examples to those outside of this military world.

I found this in my college paper’s conclusion:

I don’t think many people know just how fortunate they are to live in such a great country. Similarly, I believe that many people do not understand true patriotism. To them, the national anthem is just a nice song, but to a patriot it’s the words of Francis Scott Key – on a mission to save an American doctor held captive by the British. After a battle, he saw Old Glory still standing and waving proudly in the wind. The poem he wrote about it stands for our nation.

I know our country is far from perfect. But I still feel privileged to live in this great nation.

How refreshing it was for me to see my little ones embrace my same feelings this Independence Day! I hope they will always feel this passionate about America. And I hope they will always remember to take on their responsibility to show honor and fight as the veterans before us did to keep our nation alive.

Right now, my joyful, little patriots sure think it’s worth it!

 

*If you enjoyed this, you may appreciate these: Fly Your Flag High: Etiquette Tips and National Flag Etiquette: Memorial Day and Veterans Day.