The United States has changed much from her humble beginnings as thirteen colonies ruled by a British king. America is now the most powerful nation on the planet. We fought for and secured our freedom in two bloody wars: The Revolutionary War and The War of 1812; which took strength, determination, and perseverance. All of which make up the strength of American patriotism.

With that freedom, Americans gained independence, liberty, self governance, and a land of rich resources paved the way for great opportunity. Through our brief history, America has shown resolve to uphold freedom and crushing oppression and tyranny around the world. Belief in our principles had made America strong. We made it our responsibility to protect the weak and cast out the wicked. However, it seems as though America has had a decline in patriotism and pride in our country in recent years. This can be seen in our country through the growing disrespect of soldiers and veterans, the distrust of our government, selfabsorbance and ignorance of our population, and the abuse of our freedom of speech.

The disrespect of a veteran or a military service member is disgusting. The idea of criticizing the men and women who put their lives on the line for those who live under the protection that the brave heroes of our armed services provide, is outrageous. There is a difference between disagreeing with a war or the way warfare is conducted by military leaders and criticizing those who serve. While there have been many instances in American history where military leaders used questionable strategies such as the total warfare used by Union soldiers during the Civil War, or the usage of napalm during the Vietnam War which killed a number of civilians. Although foot soldiers executed these plans, the unfortunate results cannot be blamed on them. Those who were drafted or volunteered to fight did not do so with the intent of harming the innocent, yet they often bear the brunt of our criticism.

An example of disrespect to armed service members would be the anti-war protest by the Westboro Baptist Church. They arrive at funeral services for military members and protest war. There is nothing wrong with protesting war. War is an ugly thing, but to disrupt a person’s funeral crosses the line. The families of the fallen hero face terrible grief for the rest of their lives and deserve the final moments to say goodbye to their loved ones without the disturbance of a protest insulting what the dead fought and died for.

A quote by Chris Kyle, the legendary American Sniper, summarizes how the majority of veterans feel about the criticism of their service: “They had signs about baby killers and murderers and whatever, protesting the troops who were going over to fight. They were protesting the wrong people. We didn’t vote in Congress; we didn’t vote to go to war. I signed up to protect this country. I do not choose the wars.” Surely we should blame ourselves as a self governing nation that sends troops into wars that the populace does not agree with, but the respect for those who go in our stead should always be present. To do anything else is unpatriotic.

A poll by the Atlantic magazine in 2010 states that 80% of Americans do not trust the government. The article talks about the scandals within our government for the last fifty years that have caused the fear of believing our nation’s leaders will do the right thing for the American people. It is true that our government has failed us in the past, but if the people do not believe in their government then how can we thrive as a nation?

While it is conceivable that our government may make decisions that greatly affect the American people without our consent and have negative results, but recall the ending of World War II. The controversial use of the atomic bomb was not put to a vote, rather it was a tough decision that brought peace to the Pacific without the casualties of an invasion on the Japanese mainland. President Harry S. Truman could not find it within himself to send troops to certain death trying to overcome what would have been impossible odds to overcome. Our government makes decisions that puts the American people first, above all others, because its first priority is to protect the American people.

Self-absorption and ignorance are other problems that kill American patriotism. A Fox News article, “Self Absorbed and Ignorant”, explains that my generation of Americans do not know much of our nation’s past nor do they know their rights as American citizens. People were asked specific questions on topics ranging from “Who is the Vice President?”, and “What was the main source of tension during the Cold War?” There was a startling 40% that did not know that we fought Japan and Germany during World War II and 43% did not know how to define what the Bill of Rights are. This is wrong.

While there is nothing wrong with caring about yourself to a certain degree, the reality is that nearly four million Americans are born each year. In other words, many have come before us and many will come after us. It doesn’t mean that individuals are not important, but that as individuals we have a responsibility to do our best to leave behind a greater America than we inherited by the previous generation. Nothing lasts forever, so make your life as meaningful and knowledgeable as possible so that the next generation of Americans can benefit and so that they leave a better world for the generation that comes after them. That is why we must learn our history, so that the mistakes we made in the past do not haunt the future generations of Americans.

Americans are very fortunate to have inalienable and natural rights which are recognized by our constitution. The Bill of Rights show the many amendments that were added to the constitution which safeguard what was promised to us by the Declaration of Independence; life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. But there is a point where we abuse those rights.

In America, people abuse their right to protest and freedom of speech. There is nothing wrong with protesting peacefully, but to burn the flag out of resentment and malice towards your country is wrong. The American flag immortalizes the revolution and the rights it secured within every fiber that makes up the stars and stripes. Those who desecrate that which represents their right to free speech, nullify their right to free speech. You don’t bite the hand that feeds you because you will no longer be fed.

There is an argument that flags are burned to properly retire them, which means that when a protestor burns Old Glory publicly that they are arrested because of their reasons for protesting not for burning the flag. A valid argument, but having the ability to do something does not mean you should do it. If you dislike this country so much that you would destroy the very thing which represents your people, then why do you live here? People should not be arrested for their beliefs, but at the same time they should not be allowed to destroy a public symbol.

America must find her patriotism again to regain her strength. What is happening in America now, happened in past civilizations. The Roman Empire crumbled because its people lost their way. They forgot the principles which made their nation great and payed greatly for it. We must be smarter than they were. We must remember what made our country great. John F. Kennedy once said what the epitome of American patriotism is, “My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”