Patriotism

I am not patriotic. I am not proud to be American born. It is just not a source of pride for me. I respect my friends who feel proud of that because it is something that they embrace about themselves. Something that makes them who they are. That is just not a major part of my identity. I am also not pro war. I know that this may be a little controversial for some of my friends but I am not a big fan of the way that America does the whole war thing.


As a result of my lack of patriotism and my I guess anti-war stance I don't feel it is my personal responsibility to glorify veterans. That may have something to do with my personality as well. I realized yesterday however that its ok to be grateful to the people who rick their lives for us. Not all of them feel as though they are entitled to a pedestal and glory everywhere they go. I realized that they are normal people who choose for whatever reason to risk their lives so that I can be free to walk these streets and live the life that I do.

Ironically enough, I learned that yesterday when doing my job. You see, the office that I work in provides free documents to veterans. I am assuming that it is as a courtesy and as an act of gratitude. Yesterday a gentleman came in to request a document I prepared it for him and told him to have a wonderful day. He asked me how much it would be and I simply told him it was free because he was a veteran, he was genuinely surprised and grateful. I too felt good. I don't feel as though I normally stand on a high horse or behave standoffish towards veterans but whatever happened in that moment was a genuine exchange.

I realized that I don't have to be patriotic. I don't have to be proud that I was born in America. But I can be grateful to the men and women who protect this country.