Becoming Involved in "Patriotics" - Step 2

[This is the second in a series of seven articles that explains how to become an active and informed citizen of the United States. Links to the previous articles are provided below.] 

Step 2: Develop a respect and reverence for your country by visiting its monuments, appreciating its beauty, and honoring its symbols. 

The United States of America is a land rich in history, steeped in tradition, and sanctified by sacrifice of the founding fathers and other brave souls who, in Abraham Lincoln’s famous words, “gave the last full measure of devotion.” It is a land endowed with physical beauty. By partaking in the American experience you can develop a deep love for our country. 

As mentioned in the previous article, one of the requirements for citizenship is to have a fundamental understanding of the history of the United States. Although most of us went through the obligatory history classes in school, a patriotic citizen will continually study and reflect on the history of the United States and will remain vigilant against efforts to demean and defame the founding fathers.

Gaining an understanding of history does not need to be boring. It can, in fact, be a highly enjoyable pursuit. This article explains how to get personally involved with the history and culture of our nation outside of the musty textbooks. 

(1) Visit national and state historic sites

Our nation is full of historic sites that help its citizens feel the spirit of America. Your state probably has several significant sites that mark the location of significant historical events. As you travel with your family or on business, don’t pass up the opportunity to visit our national museums and monuments. 

Over the past ten years while living in Texas, we have made an effort to visit Texas’ historic sites. We have stood at the Alamo, where the American heroes took a stand against the Mexican army. There is an amazing feeling of reverence in that old mission compound. Although that was a losing battle, the story didn’t end there. The San Jacinto Monument, near Houston, tells the rest of the story. We have visited the State Capitol in Austin, and we have stood in Daley Plaza in Dallas. These sites have fostered in our hearts a love of both our nation and our state. 

Several years ago during a trip to Hawaii, we took the opportunity to visit the Arizona memorial at Pearl Harbor, where brave servicemen died defending our nation on the morning of December 7, 1941. The memorial stands as a reverent reminder that constant vigilance is necessary to defend our freedom. 

On a trip to Washington D.C. many years ago, I stood before the display containing the Declaration of Independence and pondered upon the bravery it took for those early American Patriots to courageously take a step that, if unsuccessful, would amount to high treason. But, fortunately for us and our posterity, they were successful in founding our nation. 

I have visited Ellis Island, where some of my ancestors first set foot in this country with nothing but the clothes on their backs, but with visions of the new opportunities that awaited them through effort, dedication, and hard work. During that same trip we visited Ground Zero, where thousands of innocent Americans died one September morning, while millions more of us experienced the tragedy vicariously via news broadcasts. 

Even a trip to Disney World can inspire a love for your country. The American Adventure pavilion in Epcot Center is one of my absolute favorite tributes to the United States. 

All of these experiences have helped me and my family understand the sacrifice, the suffering, and the hard work that has gone into the building of the nation that we now enjoy. These visits have also deepened our respect and admiration for the armed forces. 

(2) Enjoy the natural beauty of the United States

The United States is blessed with a great diversity of natural beauty. I’m not even going to try to describe my experiences camping, hiking, and driving through this country. I’ll let John Wayne express how I feel about this country’s spectacular vistas.

"America, Why I Love Her."


(3) Understand the significance of the flag and the National Anthem


The flag of the United States, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the National Anthem serve as constant reminders of the history of our country, the sacrifices that have been made to build the nation, and of the duties we have as Americans. We have a sacred duty to honor these American rituals and symbols. 

The Flag of the United States


The flag of the United States is important enough to warrant its own section in the United States Code (USC). Title 4, Chapter 1 is entitled simply, “The Flag.” This chapter of the U.S. Code outlines how the flag is to be displayed. All U.S. citizens should become familiar with the rules of etiquette relating to our flag. 

Title 4, Section 8 states: “ No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America…”

The flag stands for our land and our people. It symbolizes our highest national principles, our way of life, and our heritage. It serves as a constant reminder of the sacrifice of those who have bled and died for freedom. 

Over 30 years ago I was invited to participate in a grade school essay contest. I was asked to explain (in 100 words or less) what the American flag means to me. My feelings have not changed over these many years:

"What the American Flag Means to Me"

The flag to me stands for a mighty nation. It means we will stand up for the freedom we hold so dearly.

It also stands for the many brave people who shed blood for our country, men who wanted freedom more than their own lives.

The flag is a symbol of leadership over all nations. Many countries try to copy us but they will never equal us. 

That is what the flag means to me. 

Here is one of my all-time favorite tributes to our flag, by Johnny Cash: 


"The Ragged Old Flag"

The National Anthem

“The Star Spangled Banner” has its roots in the War of 1812. On September 13, 1812, the British Fleet had entered Chesapeake Bay and closed in on Baltimore, Maryland. To capture Baltimore, the British had to get past Fort McHenry, which guarded the harbor. The British guns trained their fire on a huge American flag at the fort. 

Francis Scott Key was a young American lawyer who had sailed out to a British warship before the fighting began in an attempt to sure the release of a friend who was being held prisoner. He was detained, and had no choice but to wait out the attack from the warship. 

When dawn arrived on the morning of September 14, he spotted the Stars and Stripes still proudly waving through the smoke. Fort McHenry stood, and the British were abandoning their plans to capture Baltimore. 

Key was overcome with emotion. He put pen to paper and wrote out his thoughts, beginning with “O say, can you see by the dawn’s early light…” His poem was printed and distributed in Baltimore, and was later put to music. Almost a century later, in 1931, Congress designated the song as our national anthem. 

Typically only the first verse of the anthem is sung by cheering crowds at sporting events and other occasions. The fourth verse, although rarely sung, is my personal favorite. Here is the full text of “The Star Spangled Banner.”

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light

What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?

Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,

O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?

And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.

Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,

Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,

What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,

As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?

Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,

In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:

'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore

That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,

A home and a country should leave us no more!

Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.

No refuge could save the hireling and slave

From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:

And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand

Between their loved home and the war's desolation!

Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land

Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,

And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

The following video explains in great detail the circumstances surrounding the creation of the Star Spangled Banner. It is well worth nine minutes of your time. 

"The Story Behind the Star Spangled Banner"


May we all seek to foster a greater love of our country in our own hearts and in the hearts of our family members. God bless America. 

[to be continued]