Love of Country

Like most kids in elementary school, I enjoyed the benefits of music class.  My teacher was an older lady, who was always happy to let us kids pick a song to perform.  We had a huge song book with thousands of songs from which to choose.  Whenever it was my turn to pick, it was known that I would not be picking one of the fun or silly songs that all the other kids chose.  Nope.  I always chose patriotic songs, like the Star Spangled Banner, Stars and Stripes and America (My country Tis of Thee).  I'd always pick these songs, not necessarily knowing all the sacrifices that made these songs so powerful, but simply because of the way I felt each time I belted out a verse.  Even on those "chorus tryouts", when I had the opportunity to sing these songs with large groups of kids (until my teacher "tapped me out" because I couldn't actually carry a tune,) I always felt out of place because I would choose songs that other kids moaned and groaned about.

I did not know why I had an overwhelming sense of patriotism when I was a child.  My parents never seemed to show overt patriotism.  Don't get me wrong, they were loyalists who felt blessed to have been born in the greatest country ever known to man; and, growing up with little to no spare money, they could scarcely afford to deck the house out in red, white and blue decorations for the Fourth or throw elaborate BBQ's or picnics to honor our nation's birthday.  So it started me thinking and I believe I figured out where it started.

I was fortunate enough to grow up in a time when children were expected to start their school day, facing the flag, hand over heart and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.  That's where it started for me and I suspect that's where it started for most folks.  Elementary aged school kids don't always understand the true meaning of this simple pledge, but I can remember always feeling a sense of honor as I recited this promise.  I may not have known what each word meant, but I did know that I was part of something wonderful.  I was an American citizen and the power of that simple realization has never left me.

People may make disparaging comments about my great country, but it will never affect the way I feel about being an American.  The president can apologize for our greatness, but I will never apologize for being so blessed.  The Hollywood elite (and by that I include the music industry) and other activist groups can expound to the world that America is greedy and selfish and that we do not do our fair share to assist the world, and still my opinions will go unchanged.

The flag in my front yard flies every day.  In rain, sleet, winds or snow, my flag will always fly.  Being an American is a blessing.  If you think otherwise, perhaps the grass is greener elsewhere and you'll find a better ‘home' in another country.  Hordes of people from other countries are constantly applying for American citizenship.  Scottish born actor,