What does it mean to be a patriot?
Robert Mounts  Guest columnist  As we celebrate this Fourth of July, it is more important than ever to consider what it means to be a patriot. In this deeply polarized nation, altogether too many people believe that if they wrap themselves in the American flag that demonstrates their love for this country and its values. It has always made me uncomfortable to hear anyone describe themselves as a super patriot (especially if they havent served) when in reality, it often seemed they were ignorant of the nations core values. Simply flying the flag is not enough to tell me that someone is a true American patriot. Recently, one writer wrote:  The country has a variety of citizens and each and every citizen contributes or makes (the country) what it is at present. Some of the citizens are highly conscious of their actions and wish to change the country for the better, a few are those who are too busy dealing with their own lives and seldom think about where the country is going, and the rest are  well, just there, doing almost nothing for the country.  The writer further said:  A patriotic citizen is more or less like the conscious citizen, he/she wants to know what is happening in the country and they show their love by wanting to change the bad things about the country. Not America, but India. The writer, Nandini, posted this in a blog called indianyouth.net. However, the description could fit any democratic country where citizen participation is valued, including the United States. Others observe that in a democracy, we must distinguish between patriotism and nationalism. In an essay at www.studymode.com, a writer says:  Nationalism means to give more importance to unity by way of a cultural background, including language and heritage. Patriotism pertains to the love for a nation, with more emphasis on values and beliefs. When talking about nationalism and patriotism, one cannot avoid the famous quotation by George Orwell, who said that nationalism is the worst enemy of peace. According to him, nationalism is a feeling that ones country is superior to another in all respects, while patriotism is merely a feeling of admiration for a way of life. These concepts show that patriotism is passive by nature and nationalism can be a little aggressive. Patriotism is based on affection and nationalism is rooted in rivalry and resentment. Confederate soldiers fighting in the American civil war surely believed they were patriots, although seeking to preserve slavery as a way of life. In the 20th century, soldiers in Germany and Italy surely believed they were patriots, even in support of an oppressive ideology and fascist, autocratic governments. Americans who stormed the national Capitol on Jan. 6 also believed they were patriots seeking to right a perceived injustice and save the country. They have told us so on national television. In court, several now admit they were duped by the big lie and blind loyalty to an autocratic leader. All were caught up in movements that conflicted with basic democratic values. In the last two examples, these patriots were blindly following leaders seeking to preserve, extend, and enlarge their personal wealth and power, much like a cult leader. Every soldier wants to believe the cause they are fighting for is just. That basic truth is essential to unit morale and esprit de corps. This is especially true today of those who served in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan, despite the carnage that ensued and the unimaginable economic cost and human tragedies that have been documented. There is nothing more demoralizing to an army than the slow realization that their sacrifice, and those of their friends who didnt come home, was likely in vain, or even unjust. In contrast, Americans who fought in the Korean War often feel their sacrifice was worth it when they visit, as South Korea today enjoys a vibrant economy and a successful democracy. The same is true of those who fought against fascism in World War II. In short, the core values of democracy were worth fighting for. It cannot be my country, right or wrong. True patriotism in our democracy demands an informed citizenry that understands and supports the core values enshrined in the United States Constitution. Robert Mounts  Lt Col, USAF (Ret); GS-15, DAC (Ret)  lives in Gainesville. Join the conversation  Send a letter to the editor (up to 200 words) to letters@gainesville.com. Letters must include the writer's full name and city of residence. Additional guidelines for submitting letters and longer guest columns can be found at bit.ly/sunopinionguidelines. Journalism Matters. Your Support Matters. Get a digital subscription to the Gainesville Sun. Includes must-see content on Gainesville.com and Gatorsports.com, breaking news and updates on all your devices, and access to the Gainesville.com ePaper. Visit www.gainesville.com/subscribenow to sign up.