I heard someone - I think it was Maher - ponder why we play the National Anthem at sports games and why does everyone stand there, but sit down at home?
Well I stand up at home. Even if I'm the only one home or the only one awake. That song reminds me, people gave their lives willingly so I could be there, and I mean that sincerely. Someone you don't know gave up their life for their country. Not their kids or wife or family although they're part of it. They walked onto a bridge that needed destroying and BLEW THEMSELVES UP (like that guy in Ukraine). They had zero assurance they would win.
EVERY TIME I hear the National Anthem - I am reminded of that. Someone I don't know put their head in a bullet's path so I could sit and watch TV. I can never forget that.
So I have a DEEP love for this nation. I've traveled a bit and notice in some nations, there's a great patriotic sentiment among the people. Other nations - not so much. They think it hysterical that we fly our flag - that we actually KNOW the words to our national anthem -that we pledge allegiance. Brainwashing, they declare. Well I teach my kids to say please and thank you, partly out of societal structure but also to teach them gratitude. (An aside - I loved my Mom, but in her older age, she only showed being pleased for a gift when it was something she liked or wanted; I went YEARS without anyone remembering my birthday, I was forgotten on special days and my "friends" couldn't care less about me. *I* learned to appreciate gifts because SOMEONE did something when it was so much easier to do nothing).
_________________________________________
My observation is that it is common for those on the left to NOT feel patriotic. To NOT feel that deep sense of gratitude. They will laugh at me and call me delusional. Well I love my children, and I have no delusions with them, I see their flaws but love them nonetheless. I am not blind to this nation's flaws, but I've certainly seen enough to know, I'm very very glad to have been born here. I *am* grateful.
And I would fight for this country.