Is Patriotism Alive and Well?

As we honor our men and women for their military service this Veteran’s Day, I ask the question is patriotism alive and well?

It would not appear so if you focus on the flag burners, the national anthem kneeling athletes, and the extreme divisiveness in our country.

One wonders if those from the greatest generation would even recognize the good old U.S.A.

I’ll admit it can be disheartening at times.

In my travels this week though, I believe I’ve seen acts of patriotism.

You have to look for it, but it’s there.

It’s in the veterans who visited the schools this week and shared the importance of service and honor.

It’s in the students who listened intently and asked questions of those who served.

It’s in the Rotary members who stood together and sang God Bless The USA at their annual Veteran’s Breakfast.

It’s in the children with their little hands over their hearts reciting the pledge of allegiance as best they could.

It’s in the friendship of two friends in Malden, one Democrat, one Republican, who can agree to disagree and still drink coffee together at the local cafe.

It’s in those in our community who wear red, white, and blue outfits.

It’s in those who hang the wreaths and place the flags on the graves of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

It’s in the tears of the old vet, who cries listening to the story of a fellow veteran.

It’s in a stadium full of Americans at a campaign rally singing Amazing Grace as a doctor attends to his patient.

It’s there.

Patriotism is there if you look for it.

I pray for a time in our country when we won’t have to look quite so hard for it.

God Bless the veterans.

God Bless the USA.

See you out there.