I was born a patriot and I will die a patriot. Patriot is not a derogatory label to me. It’s one I wear proudly. The official definition is “one who loves, supports, and defends one’s country.” Yep, that’s me. I’m a patriot.
I knew I was a patriot when I stood to say the Pledge of Allegiance in elementary school, my hand over my heart pressing against the starchy fabric of the first-day-of-school plaid dress I wore. I knew I was a patriot when my FBI-agent dad punctuated every family vacation with photos of my sisters and me huddled around the base of a flagpole at whatever historical site we were visiting. He would go across the street in order to capture the entire flagpole, so in every photo we are miniature-sized patriots.
I knew I was a patriot when I sent my first husband off to Vietnam, so proud of his service and blissfully unaware of any consequences to come. My toddler son and I spent that time near my parents and his, and my dad entered me into a local essay contest on “Why I’m Proud to Be an American.” I won. The article in the local paper confirmed what I knew. I’m a patriot.
In 78 years there have been so many times my eyes have filled with tears over just the thought of a country as brave and beautiful as the one we are blessed to call home. Parades and fireworks shows attended, Old Glory waving in front of every home I’ve lived in, red-white-and-blue decorations, American flag cakes—all evidence that could be used against me if I’m ever put on trial for being a patriot.
Recently I visited our nation’s capital with a group from our church. Walking the streets of D.C. I couldn’t be prouder of how beautiful and safe the city is again. Monuments restored and gleaming, gardens in full bloom, fountains flowing that haven’t worked in decades, and an overall spirit of celebration and gratitude. As a patriot, I’m not afraid to give credit where credit is due for this restoration of what is arguably the most awe-inspiring capital city in the world. Thank you, Mr. President.
Today’s newsletter from another patriot, Gary Bauer, contained a quote from President Ronald Reagan: “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”
I’m in my sunset years. I pray I won’t see the total demise of our country before I die, but there are powerful forces at work to distort and destroy all that’s good about our republic—the one Benjamin Franklin questioned whether we would be able to keep. Those who strive to magnify our mistakes and failings and demonize our successes and sacrifices would like nothing better than to snuff out the flame of freedom. As one of our grandsons recently asked, “If they hate America so much, why don’t they just leave?” If only.
So if I am put on trial and convicted for being a patriot, so be it. The truth of the Gospel assures me that my true citizenship is in heaven, and my primary allegiance to Jesus Christ insures my future there. But please, Lord, if it be Your will, do not remove Your hand from this country You have protected for so long.
Happy 250th Birthday to our amazing country! And God bless America.
AMEN! From one patriot to another!
Good to have a sister in arms–so to speak! Happy 4th, Jan!
Yep I’m guilty too!! Lovely tribute Nancy to America, our great heritage. I read your words and reflect with tears in my eyes too!
Thank you, Lea Ann. Freedom isn’t free but it’s worth holding on to!
Beautiful tribute, Nancy! Encouraging to know DC really is looking better from someone with personal experience 🙂 Praying for our country today and always! Happy 4th!
Thank you, Liz. It really is beautiful there. I’m sorry the weather hasn’t cooperated this week so more people could have experienced it.
Bravo, brave Patriot! If you’re ever on trial, I will be there to testify on your behalf and stand with you.
We would be a fearsome twosome, Beth! Thanks so much.
Nancy, may I have your permission to forward this to our friends? It was awe-inspiring to read and I, too, found my eyes watering. Yes, I am also a patriot, and you couldn’t have explained it any better! I read it to Pierre, and he said we hadn’t seen you in a long time, not since his art show at the Old Colorado City gallery. He suggested we get together for dinner to “catch-up!” How about it?
Of course, Louise! Feel free to forward and we’d love to get together some time. Happy 4th!
We are a proud nation, thank God. Patriots together we will stand and it will always warm our hearts to understand all the beauty we are surrounded by and the servants and sacrifices so many have made. Brotherhood or sisterhood, always grateful.
You’re so right, Cheryl. Just praying our numbers don’t dwindle too much! Keep praying.
Wow… Your blogs are always so good Nancy! This one made me want to stand up and salute the flag! So moving. We are soooo blessed to live in America!! I pray God will heal or land so my children & grandchildren can also worship Him freely!! Thank you for a wonderful reminder!!
Thank you, Patricia! And it was great to worship and celebrate with you!
I agree and thank you so much my precious friend happy 250th July to you❤️❤️🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷
Together we stand! Thank you, Jimmie.
Thanks Nancy,I always knew you and Jim were patriots and Fay and I are so happy to have you both as our friends and neighbor God bless our country and to all that have served and all first responders
Thank you, Tony. We’re blessed to have you as neighbors, too. Annie says, “Meow.”
I agree with your grandson–if people hate the United States so much why don’t they leave? Jim and I have traveled over much of the world. I want to tell every dissenter in the U.S. to choose a country, any country, and we will help them get there, and wait to see how quickly they came home. In our worship service this morning, I pledged allegiance to the U.S. flag, the Christian flag, and the Holy Bible, and sang America the Beautiful–all with tears in my eyes. Yes, please, God, don’t take your hand from the greatest nation on earth and those of us who are trying to keep it that way.
We have to keep praying and keep voting! Thanks for the feedback, Peggy. And your Sunday worship sounds wonderful!
Editorial worthy! 🙂
Ha! Thanks, Kari. A compliment coming from you. 🙂
We are so blessed to live in this country with all the beauty, security , natural wonders, and freedoms protected. God truly has blessed America.
So true, Cheryl. When I get frustrated over the politics in our once common sense state I remember the things you listed–and get myself up into the mountains!
Beautifully written. I can see why you won that essay contest! Hugs!
Thanks, Joe! Hope all your travels are going well. Hugs back to you and Helen!
So strong, so powerful, such moving words to remind us of the need to be grateful! I know I feel so Blessed by God to be planted in this country because my grandparents in 1911 were brave enough to cross an ocean to come here from Poland. Their hardship has been my reward.
Thank you, my Patriot Friend we all stand with you and in Prayer for this Great Nation under God!
What a legacy to be proud of, Eileen. 1911. Wow!