hout the confident support of the people, public education becomes private indoctrination, and the protection of the law becomes autocratic control. So to the question "How can I preserve patriotism?", I would have to say that the best way for everyone to answer is that I will teach my children to become active with the needs of the country. That they need to voice their opinion and do everything they can to make it be heard. They need to make decisions and consider what it will do to other people. They need to feel a sense of pride when they see an American flag. And they need to respect everyone who has fought or is still fighting to protect our country because they are protecting the people as well. Patriotism is more than flag-waving and fireworks. It is how we respond to public issues. If we ask only, "What is in this proposal for me? What do I get out of it?" - we are not patriotic and we are not very good citizens. But if we ask, "Is this right? Is it good for the American people? Would it preserve and strengthen our freedom?" - we deserve to stand in the company of Washington, Jefferson, and Lincoln. Patriotism is trying always to give more to the nation than we receive. It is selfless service....
