pa·tri·ot·ism
Pronunciation: 'pA-trE-e-"ti-zm
Function: noun
Date: circa 1726
love for or devotion to one's country
Its an easy word with a simple definition ...... but it seems that a lot of people living in America have forgotten what it really means. Last night I was watching a documentary on WWII and the thing that caught my eye was the footage of Allied troops all over the world marching through the streets with crowds cheering and bands playing. Then I watched the nightly news and saw people marching in our streets protesting our country's duty to protect us from agression. Can you imagine people during the winter of '41 and '42 saying "Just ask Mr. Hito and Mr. Hitler to please stop being so mean"?
Over 2,400 people were killed in the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. More than 3,000 were killed New York City and Washington, D.C. on Sept 11, 2001. In 1941 Britain had the resolve, but not the manpower, the money, nor the equipment needed to fend off the Nazi invaders. Without the aid of the United States of America, the countries of Western Europe would not have been able to repel the enemy attacks and we today would be living in a very different world than what we are now priveledged to enjoy. In the year 2003 we have not only the opportunity and the ability, but as the premier military force in the world, the duty to staunch the aggression of yet another madman.
Granted, George W. Bush is not FDR, but yet he must take the path that needs to be followed in order to secure freedom and some degree of safety for all people. Let us get behind the brave men and women who are willing to defend freedom throughout the world. Go into the streets not to degrade these people who are putting their lives on the line for us, but to honor them and those who went before them. Let the bands play and the parades go on ......
