Patriot
A patriot is someone who feels a strong support for their country. The exact definition from Merriam-Webster is “A person who loves and strongly supports or fights for his or her country.” But to me there is way more to it than that. Patriots are someone every country needs to be a successful nation. A patriot to me are people that should not be overlooked or forgotten, they should forever be remembered as someone who put their country before themselves.
The first instances of the word “patriot” in the United States was during the American Revolution when the US fought against the British for our freedom. Patriot was used to describe the American who fought in the line of fire, for our country. Patriots have shaped this country
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into what we are today. Here in the United States there is always a constant struggle of war, and because of this we need people on guard at all times. These people are not chosen, they do it out of free will and decide to put their country in front of their own life. To have to put your family and life on hold to fight for the freedom for each one of us is something that we as Americans should not overlook. The fact the US military is volunteer says something about our country.
The US dropped the draft system in 1973. Americans born within a certain date were put into the draft, and if their name was drawn they would have to report to the US Armed Forces. I guess you could call it a lottery that is against your own will.
The reason why I think the all volunteer system say something good about our country is because of multiple reasons. One being patriotism, our own citizens did not have to go overseas to fight for our country, they decided to. But why you may ask, because like I said at the beginning they will fight and die for our freedom and opportunity to live a fulfilling lifestyle. The word “patriot” still holds up today the same way it did three hundred years ago in the American Revolution.
Looking back at the beginning paragraph, I said to become a successful country you need patriots. Reason being a patriot is staple to every nation, because its what holds us together. They fight for the country, they will battle domestic and international terrorism if it means people are safe back home.
When I am out of the house and I see someone in a military uniform I always stop what I am doing to thank them. It is a small gesture, but I feel the need to show my appreciation. I believe we should all do this or just give them a quick thank you, it’s the least we could
do. In our day and age, I feel like people get too wrapped in the silly and meaningless things in life, I will admit I am guilty of these things. But that is the joy of it, we are able to enjoy things back here in our own country because of the people fighting for our freedom. But that doesn’t mean we should forget them. Every time you see someone in uniform go up and thank them for not only what the did for this country, but also what they did for you. A patriot to me is someone that should not be overlooked or forgotten, they should forever be remembered as someone who put their country before themselves.
Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers to the United States, was not a patriot but a mere loyalist to England before the dissolution between England and the colonies occurred. Sheila L. Skemp's The Making of a Patriot explores how Benjamin Franklin tried to stay loyal to the crown while taking interest in the colonies perception and their own representation in Parliament. While Ms. Skemp alludes to Franklin's loyalty, her main illustration is how the attack by Alexander Wedderburn during the Privy Council led to Franklin's disillusionment with the British crown and the greater interest in making the Thirteen Colonies their own nation. Her analysis of Franklin's history in Parliament and what occurred on the night that the council convened proves the change behind Franklin's beliefs and what lead to his involvement in the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution. Benjamin Franklin was the colonial agent representing Massachusetts in Parliament in Britain.
As far the Patriots are concerned, they were most citizens who wanted the revolution and freedom from the British. The Patriots were sick and tired of the British rule and their unfair treatment towards them. The Patriots
Colonialists were in search of a better life in the newly discovered land of the Americas. Ties with their mother-country of Britannia, over three thousand miles away, resulted in miscommunication and arguments. Eventually these arguments and miscommunications lead to the Revolutionary War, provoking many American Colonists to join the Continental Army. Each soldier from the militia to the regular recruits had reasons to fight; many of these reasons were influenced by the first Age of Enlightenment and other reasons were formed by personal experiences with the conflicts of Britannia and the American Colonies. The movie, The Patriot, presented many reasons that are supported by major historical documents, such as the Declaration of Independence, and that also are backed by personal testimonies of the American Colonists who joined the Continental Army.
People who support the military draft will say that it is the obligation of every citizen of the United States, and every other person residing in the United States, who is between the ages of 18 and 42, to perform a period of national service. Aren?t there many other ways--less deadly ways--to contribute to the country?s well being? Should we, as citizens, be allowed to evade this ultimate obligation by turning it over to the poorer members of society, those who can't find good-paying jobs or training except in the military? In "A War for Us, Fought by Them," William Broyles, a Vietnam war veteran and the father of a young man who is a soldier in the Marines, argues that the military draft should be brought back, and this time it should be done right: everybody should be drafted, not just ?the profoundly patriotic or the economically needy" (Broyles 695).
Revolutionary events in 1775 and 1776 transformed the visions of the Patriot and Loyalist groups. Patriots were colonists of the Thirteen Colonies who rebelled against British control during the American Revolution and in 1776, declared the United States an independent nation. Loyalists were American colonists who remained loyal to the British during the Revolutionary War. They opposed each other because they both had different views. War broke out on April 19, 1775 and all was changed from there.
...ricans to give up today for the good of tomorrow, to esteem liberty above their lives. It helped instill confidence and patriotism. According to historians, the patriotic heart and spirit of the colonists that lasted throughout the entire Revolution, spurred by writings, liberty groups, and progress on the battlefield, is what encouraged America to fight so long and so hard. (Sparknotes)
Over forty years has passed since the United States inducted the last draftee through the Selective Service System. The Selective Service System is an independent agency of the United States, which gives the President the right or power to conscript men for military service. There have been different Acts passed by congress since 1917 that require men of various ages to register for service. Although, the name of each Act and the age requirements of the registries changed, the Acts were all similar in nature. They all gave the President the right to call men to war when he deemed necessary. In January 1973, Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird announced the creation of the all-volunteer service, retracting the need for the draft (GAO.gov). Under current law, all men between the ages of 18-25 must register within 30 days of their 18th birthday, however this information is used mostly for recruitment purposes and in case of any future crisis. There has been much controversy over this matter since the Vietnam War, when people started to realize the draft was unfair due to loopholes and draft exemptions making the draft unfair for working men. At one point in time the military draft may have been necessary, but today’s all-volunteer military has eliminated the need for a draft.
This speech, given to the Second Virginia Convention only a month before the start of the Revolutionary War, represents patriotism in the most traditional sense. Henry expresses a need for rebellion, a need to fight back against the increasingly oppressive and tyrannical rule of their native country. His speech conveys the spirit of the Americans, playing into the idea that God is on their side, protecting the given rights of man. Henry’s words are credited with changing the attitude of the convention, inspiring patriotism, and leading the convention to deliver Virginian Troops for the
The exploration of what patriotism is and what represents patriotism is an important one more people should embark upon. If Americans are to examine patriotisms true meaning, we will be able to abolish this faux patriotism, which is represented by intimidation, censorship, and majority rules attitudes or actions. This can be replaced by feelings and actions of caring, compassion, acceptance, rationality, and nonviolence, or in other words, patriotism.
The dictionary says a veteran is “a person that has served in the military” but I think there is more to being a Veteran than just serving. I would know, my dad is a Veteran. Veterans like my dad risk their lives so we can have our freedom and that is what makes them heroes. They are so dedicated they are willing to leave their homes, families, and hobbies just to secure our freedom and protection.
Nationalism is extreme loyalty and devotion to one particular nation, and many Americans are nationalistic about their country. But even though they are loyal to America, defining what it means to be a true American is tricky. Being American is one complex thing, but the concept of being American can not be fully grasped. What it means to be American may in fact be one of the biggest mysteries of all time. Indeed, discovering what it means to be a true American could possibly take an entire lifetime. One thing, however about all true Americans is certain: we are all alike in that each one of us is different from the Americans in important ways. We are diverse in our backgrounds, races, and religions. Nevertheless, we are exactly identical in the we feel toward our country, even though we express our pride in a million different ways.
Patriotism begins with knowing some historic background of one’s country. The following is a short intro to pass through the timeline of USA’s history. Most Americans have heard that Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492. He came to what is now America. Several years pass and George Washington becomes the first president. This is when the constitution is ratified. The constitution declares our freedoms as American citizens. States begin to form, such as Vermont and Kentucky. They were the first two states to be admitted to the United States. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson had the presidential terms in the late 1700s and early 1800s.
Patriots are willing to expose beloved cultural norms. The changing of a group of people or an individual takes a persuasive person with a strong belief. Many writers like Mark Twain are known for their forward and
Patriotism’s narrow definition is the love or devotion to one’s country. In America, patriotism has evolved from its founding principle to become a value in American lives. This leads to many Americans having loyalty as a core American virtue. It made Americans connote the word patriotism with loyalty. To be loyalty to the country is to be patriotic; therefore, if one is not patriotic then they by definition they are not loyal to the country. This ultimatum of sorts, breaks Americans into two categorizes—Authoritarian Patriots and Democratic Patriots. The people who believe if someone is not patriotic then, they are disloyal are authoritarian patriots and it “is a resigning of one's will, right of choice, and need to understand to the authority” (Westh...
The Patriot was a historically inaccurate film based on the American Revolution. The Patriot incorrectly displayed the main character Benjamin Martin, Colonial Tavington, the British, Loyalist, slavery, military tactics, and factual errors.