On this Memorial Day 2012, I offer up something I wrote 4 days after raising my hand and taking the oath to become an officer in the United States Army.
I mainly joined to help soldiers. I hope I am fulfilling that mission every day in at least some little way where I am currently stationed.
I originally wrote this on 21 July 2009...Something that has been bugging me for a long time is what I would term 'false patriotism.' I think we have seen far too much of it since 9-11. Right after that horrific event, the country was drawn together in an unprecendented way and it was, despite the tragedy that triggered it, wonderful to see. It seemed that partisanship was over and we could finally move forward as one nation under a unified purpose... alas, it wasn't to last.
Once the fervor died down, we were back to the same old sniping and left vs right crap. Unfortunately, that tendency has continued apace for the last 8 years. So, now, rather than arguing for the American people, our congresspersons and senators have spent time playing power games rather than enacting healthcare reform or doing so many things that are needful. They are more concerned with their positions of power than what is important, though the votes of 2004 & 2008 have made the will of the people clear.
And the American people as a whole, wow... well after 9-11, people stood up and were proud. They slapped magnetic ribbons on their cars and flew flags everywhere... but what did it all mean? Anyone can do these things and say they are patriotic. My mother-in-law and the folks at her Senior Center wear red on Fridays to show they 'support the troops'... but I posit that doing something truly patriotic goes beyond magnets, flags and red shirts... it takes a real commitment to change, it takes real effort, it takes some measure of sacrifice.
I saw a pick up truck on the highway the other day flying 2 large (at least for a truck) large American flags... and that is actually what spurred this rant... and the thought that went through my mind was, "Yay for you. You can fly a flag, but what are you really doing to show your patriotism." I guess I am in this mindset because of what I have done, which is join the Army Reserve as a nurse at the age 43. I will not lie and say that there isn't a financial incentive, but I also have a deep-seated desire to serve my country again. But the letter I received from the Army selection board said something that is sitting in my gut... that most people aren't willing to forgo their creature comforts in service to something larger... and I believe that most people are pampered, spoiled brats who just want things handed to them on a platter, the more gilded the better.
The real point of this is that being patriotic is more than wrapping yourself up in a flag and saying the pledge. Real patriotism can be exhibited in myriad ways; volunteering at your kids' school, voting, writing to your congress members & senators, helping with a neighborhood clean-up, help a charity raise money, recycle what you can of your trash.... and you know there doesn't have to be a flag in sight. If everyone would do one or two things within their resources and capabilities, this would be a much stronger nation that isn't on the road to being owned by China.
I'm not saying everyone has to join the military, that is my choice. Just do something for someone else... look beyond your own nose every once in a while, you might be surprised the effects your one small act can spur others to & how great it can make you feel... pay it forward.
Update 2012: I am very proud to have to opportunity to be serving in the Army. I am doing my level best every day to serve soldiers by letting them know what services are available to them as they are released from military service. Unfortunately, that is where my role ends. I worry about our overburdened VA system and funding cuts that are surely coming down the pike in this political climate.
I am increasingly disheartened and disillusioned with the ever-emptier rhetoric and now bald-faced lies perpetrated by politicians, especially the party of NO. I am sick of people talking and not DOING, except to line their own pockets.
I think our founding fathers would be disgusted. I just hope we can pull back from the brink.