Are we losing patriotism?

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 May 2023 22:35:46 -0400

How do you handle the disconnect in communication when speaking with the civilian world about patriotism and leadership, or in advocating for the American fighting spirit? Do you ever feel that type of tension? How have you navigated huge cultural differences as a veteran when discussing American patriotism?

I am working on my graduate degree and I look around, not only at our veteran population here, but to the campus as a whole and I see something like an emptiness. There is so much I love about our country's ideals and principles, about the nation's military and it's virtues, so much that is prevalent and beneficial to the communities of today and those of us working to better ourselves and enter some type of servant-leadership career, and yet I see these wonderful and historically American things are not being brought into the community or the everyday discussions we have. I don't mean to find some type of hyper-patriotism, but I hope to see the same fire of character and spirit that is easily found in some of today's service members, also in some of my fellow civilians, especially those that are veterans. Yet, it seems quiet in their hearts.

Response by CSM Chuck Stafford made May 17 at 2023 10:18 AM

CSM Chuck Stafford — Wed, 17 May 2023 10:18:18 -0400

The best way I have found is to affect those within my sphere of influence with my actions. The consistent display of my actions is the best advocate. The only intentional direct conversations I have had have been when I found the local elementary school flying our flag upside down -- twice now in the last 6-months. It's not just the school's flag, it's the community's flag, it's our flag.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2023 10:42 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 May 2023 10:42:09 -0400

Are we? Yes
The decline in patriotism has been earned through years (generations) of governance and policy contrary to our founding principles.

The biggest difference today is the change in media allows many more individuals to see how the sausage is made. It's not that our government is so much worse today its that people are more aware of it.

Response by CSM William Everroad made May 17 at 2023 10:50 AM

CSM William Everroad — Wed, 17 May 2023 10:50:44 -0400

1LT Private RallyPoint Member, Depends on your actual definition of patriotism.

I agree with LTC Private RallyPoint Member (to a point), the decline is noticeable, but nuanced.

Citizens are more distracted by the hyper news cycles that puts on display the flaws of our country. Some of it is yellow journalism, but most of it is accurate portrayal of our issues no matter which political ideology you subscribe to. I don't believe its that citizens "hate" the country, more disappointed.

Social Media is the juice that amplifies the disagreements. It's hard to be proud of a country's accomplishments when the two major parties are both saying the other is leading the country to its demise and the talking heads on SM and TV agree and fan the flames is discord and discontent. We are fighting each other for no good reason.

We stopped really talking to each other and started arguing. Instead of coming together and talking about ways we can put this country's vast resources to good use for issues that affect everyone, we see each encounter as an assault on the American way of life.

I think plenty of people are still proud of the idea and values of "America", but there is a disconnect between that and the "what are we doing about our problems".

Each issue is a stain that we would rather argue about than do even the most incremental thing.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made May 17 at 2023 1:05 PM

SFC Kelly Fuerhoff — Wed, 17 May 2023 13:05:13 -0400

What is patriotism though? Everyone is going to have a different definition. Some people think it's blindly showing allegiance and never questioning those in the government. Others believe in exercising our consitutional rights. Some people think it's unpatriotic to exercise your rights because they disagree with their protest.
"There is so much I love about our country's ideals and principles, about the nation's military and it's virtues, so much that is prevalent and beneficial to the communities of today and those of us working to better ourselves and enter some type of servant-leadership career, and yet I see these wonderful and historically American things are not being brought into the community or the everyday discussions we have." --- What do you mean by this? Whenever I see someone say "our country's ideals and principles" I wonder what they think that means considering that the country was not founded with the idea that everyone was equal when significant parts of the population weren't even considered people and many considered property and not even viewed as human. What are these "wonderful and historically American" things? Just curious.
I think people are tired - tired of the government trying to control every aspect of our lives. Tired of having rights slowly stripped away and watch as we de-evolve. The last decade or so I don't know what there is to be proud of in the US. We don't lead in anything and the people elected to represent us - regardless of party - don't ever seem to want to do anything and allow the lobbyists to control things. If I could afford to when I retire, I'd move to another country. I don't want to move back to Nebraska but that's where all my family is and I know they'll help me but there are things politically going on there that makes me scared for my daughter's future and even my own. Then overall the way some things are going in the country...it's insane. Honestly I'll be surprised if the US lasts another 50 years the way things have been going. It's a surprise it's gone on this long.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 17 at 2023 8:12 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 17 May 2023 20:12:42 -0400

Look at the shit sandwich served by the politicians. Democracy and the constitution are not completely sacred. The military is accused by many to espouse the greatest objective of wokeness. Milley and Austin are attacked constantly. Prominent veterans were attacked to include right after their deaths. The Vidman narrative is he was a bad soldier because he talked about CIC. Soldiers need to be tougher and TBI are headaches. Soldiers fake PTSD for VA entitlements.

Who is doing the attacking?

Response by PO2 Ronald Wolfe made Jun 23 at 2023 7:12 PM

PO2 Ronald Wolfe — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 19:12:38 -0400

Unfortunately, this country has moved the farthest from Patriotism than ever, in our country. 9/11/01 should have been a wake-up call but people went back to their selfishness soon after. When we do get attacked on our soil again, it won't be like Pearl Harbor but Poland when Hitler rolled in.