Quiet Patriotism of our People

 

Dear Journal,

As I sit here, I find myself reflecting on the profound nature of our nation and the principles that make us unique among the nations of the earth. There are times when we are tempted to believe that society has become too complex to be managed by self-rule, that government by an elite group is superior to government for, by, and of the people. But we must remember that we are a nation that has a government, not the other way around. This truth makes us special, sets us apart, and defines our very essence.

Our government has no power except that granted to it by the people. It is made up of men and women who raise our food, patrol our streets, man our factories, teach our children, keep our homes, and heal us when we're sick. They are professionals, industrialists, shopkeepers, clerks, cabbies, and truck drivers. In short, they are we the people. Their patriotism is quiet but deep, their values sustain our national life, and their dedication is the backbone of our society.

As for the enemies of freedom, those who are potential adversaries, they will be reminded that peace is the highest aspiration of the American people. We will negotiate for it, sacrifice for it, but we will not surrender for it, now or ever. We will maintain sufficient strength to prevail if need be, knowing that if we do so, we have the best chance of never having to use that strength. Above all, we must realize that no arsenal or weapon in the arsenals of the world is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women. It is a weapon our adversaries in today's world do not have, but it is a weapon that we, as Americans, possess.

I believe that we, the Americans of today, are ready to act worthy of ourselves, ready to do what must be done to ensure happiness and liberty for ourselves, our children, and our children's children. We are a nation under God, and I believe that God intended for us to be free.

The quiet patriotism of our people is a force that cannot be underestimated. It is the farmer who wakes before dawn to tend to his fields, the teacher who inspires the next generation, the nurse who cares for the sick, and the soldier who stands guard over our freedoms. It is the collective will of a nation that believes in the power of self-rule, in the strength of community, and in the unyielding spirit of liberty.

Our values are the bedrock of our national life. They are the principles that guide us, the ideals that inspire us, and the beliefs that unite us. They are the reason why we stand tall, why we stand strong, and why we stand together as one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

As a disabled Marine veteran, I have seen firsthand the power of these values. I have witnessed the sacrifices made by my brothers and sisters in arms, and I have felt the weight of their legacy. I have seen the strength and resilience of our people, the unyielding spirit that defines us as a nation. And I know that as long as we hold true to these values, as long as we stand firm in our commitment to freedom, we will continue to be a beacon of hope and a symbol of liberty for the world.

So let us remember that we are a nation that has a government, not the other way around. Let us never forget the power of our collective will, the strength of our moral courage, and the unbreakable spirit of our people. Let us stand tall, stand strong, and stand together, ready to act worthy of ourselves, ready to do what must be done to ensure happiness and liberty for generations to come.

With a heart full of patriotism and a spirit unbroken,

A Disabled Marine Veteran, A Patriot, A Defender of Freedom