opinion

Patriotism means more than saluting the flag: Delaware Voice

A recent News Journal article, “Vets miss time when patriotism mattered,” sparked some thoughts for me. Its premise was that our divided nation was no longer patriotic in the eyes of some military veterans.

They expressed particular concern over a lack of respect for our flag.



I am a military veteran. I respect our flag, and I always stand at attention when the national anthem is performed. I recite the Pledge of Allegiance on appropriate occasions.

Editorial: Veterans Day should mean more than salutes

These are all symbolic acts that reflect the respect and affection we have for our country. Honoring them is desirable, but in itself, does not constitute patriotism.

True patriotism is an entirely different matter. The oath all military members take includes the words "I solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same."

It is my belief that these solemn words encapsulate the true meaning of patriotism in our country.

The U.S. Constitution, as well as the other founding documents, including the Declaration of Independence, summarize for me the spirit of our nation. The optimistic sense of fairness and tolerance ("a decent respect to the opinions of mankind"); the pursuit of justice ("all men are created equal"); and the fundamental dignity of mankind, ("our inalienable rights").

Those original ideas, in the face of tyranny, evolved into our constitution, an imperfect document for an imperfect world. Our constitution constitutes an ideal which historically, was as often violated as adhered to. We have amended it over the years, mostly to bring it into line with the original intent of the founding fathers such as adding a bill of rights, banning slavery, and expanding the franchise to women.

Patriotism, I believe, comes from a true and thoughtful understanding of the ideas upon which our country was founded. To serve in the military ("provide for the common defense") is certainly one extraordinary way of honoring these ideals, but not the only way.

To vote, ("in order to form a more perfect union") to exercise the most fundamental right, is the most consequential way of doing your part as an informed citizen. To be an informed citizen is another.

To educate our children ("secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and posterity") to understand this inheritance is another. To volunteer, as so many do, in our schools, hospitals, and churches is another patriotic act.

To serve in public office ("to promote the general welfare") despite our disdain for politicians, is often a selfless act of service. Those who work in government as public servants fighting fires, ensuring our safety, and providing public services also deserve our respect for their patriotism. They are critical to "ensure domestic tranquility."

The beauty of our system of government and our nation of laws is that there is enormous latitude for each of us to exercise our personal liberty, possess our personal beliefs, and enjoy our inalienable rights. Nevertheless, despite these individual guarantees, we adhere to a unified whole in the form of a piece of paper that is the fundamental creed of us all.

Part of my Air Force training included the notion of “service before self.” We must give something of ourselves to the greater good.

That is my definition of patriotism. Your personal liberties are safe only in the context of our collective belief in our own constitution.

If we fail to honor this mere scrap of paper, we shall all collectively fall. We are blessed to remain a nation of laws.

I am dismayed at the lack of respect sometimes in evidence for our flag. But the far greater sin is the lack of respect shown for our constitution by those who willingly violate our deepest held principles. Those who place themselves outside this framework are the enemy of us all.

Kennard Wiggins is a retired military officer from the Delaware Air National Guard. He is curator of the Delaware Military Museum and a history adviser to Wilmington University and the Pencader Heritage Museum. He is the author of illustrated histories on the Delaware Air National Guard, the Army National Guard, Dover Air Force Base, and Delaware Aviation.