This essay was written to the prompt, "Does patriotism still matter." I decided that patriotism does matter, people just don't choose to show their patriotism. I talked about ways that it can be shown, and ways that it is shown.
Watching fireworks explode in the sky, the beauty of the American flag, seeing the people who fight for our country marching through the crowds -- these proud moments represent our country; they represent how we live; they represent why we are free. These are times we can show our patriotism, but they don’t come every day. We should let our patriotism ring like a bell on the top of a church, let it be heard by all who listen, telling them that we are America, the United States.
So many things can be done to show patriotism, whether it is being a soldier, fighting for our country, or following the Constitution and voting. These acts of patriotism can be spontaneous, just like Rick Monday, a baseball player, did on April 25, 1976. As two people ran on to the field to burn the American flag that was soaked in kerosene, Rick Monday ran past and grabbed the flag, earning a standing ovation from the people in the stands. These moments are what stay in history, but being a patriot doesn’t mean you are known in history, it means so much more.
While some people may not show patriotism from spontaneous acts, it doesn’t mean that their acts have less value. Courage, respect, honesty: these are the acts that represent us, represent our country. Many people each day do these small acts that may not be known by everyone, but are seen by some. These acts could be as significant as joining the armed forces. When other countries look at us, I hope they not only see the land of the free, but I hope they see patriots, people who love their country.
Patriotism, it is one word, yet it means so much more than just that. To love something means you will do anything for it; there are people in our country who do this, they lay down their lives for their country. That is patriotism. Saving the American flag from being burned. That is patriotism. Voting and following the Constitution. That is patriotism. We are America, we are patriots.
Watching fireworks explode in the sky, the beauty of the American flag, seeing the people who fight for our country marching through the crowds -- these proud moments represent our country; they represent how we live; they represent why we are free. These are times we can show our patriotism, but they don’t come every day. We should let our patriotism ring like a bell on the top of a church, let it be heard by all who listen, telling them that we are America, the United States.
So many things can be done to show patriotism, whether it is being a soldier, fighting for our country, or following the Constitution and voting. These acts of patriotism can be spontaneous, just like Rick Monday, a baseball player, did on April 25, 1976. As two people ran on to the field to burn the American flag that was soaked in kerosene, Rick Monday ran past and grabbed the flag, earning a standing ovation from the people in the stands. These moments are what stay in history, but being a patriot doesn’t mean you are known in history, it means so much more.
While some people may not show patriotism from spontaneous acts, it doesn’t mean that their acts have less value. Courage, respect, honesty: these are the acts that represent us, represent our country. Many people each day do these small acts that may not be known by everyone, but are seen by some. These acts could be as significant as joining the armed forces. When other countries look at us, I hope they not only see the land of the free, but I hope they see patriots, people who love their country.
Patriotism, it is one word, yet it means so much more than just that. To love something means you will do anything for it; there are people in our country who do this, they lay down their lives for their country. That is patriotism. Saving the American flag from being burned. That is patriotism. Voting and following the Constitution. That is patriotism. We are America, we are patriots.
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