July 4, 2024

Several years ago, on the Fourth of July, I planned to meet elderly friends for dinner and had arrived early to await them in the restaurant parking lot. As Carlos and his wife arrived, they headed for the last open handicapped space, only to be cut out by another car. Carlos went on to find a space at the back of the lot as I observed the other couple emerge from their souped-up muscle car, sporting a decal which read ”It’s America, Stupid. Speak English!”. The driver was a muscular guy in cut-offs and tank top, head wrapped in an American flag kerchief. Laughing at their parking prowess, the two threw a handicapped placard on the dashboard and ran into the restaurant.

Meanwhile, Cuban-born Carlos, a WW II vet, awarded a Purple Heart and a Silver Star, struggled from a distance in his wheelchair. At twenty-two years of age, Carlos’ legs were shattered as he saved his platoon by throwing his body on a live grenade. As a price for their lives, he had spent the rest of his life confined to a wheelchair.

Carlos and his wife died years ago. But over the years, I have often reflected on that indelible parking lot scene. For me, it is the perfect parable of the difference between true and false patriotism.

Amidst the fireworks, barbecues and baseball games of the Fourth, a subtle truth runs like a quiet, life-giving stream: we are profoundly blessed to be Americans. Most of us know and believe that, but sometimes, a few distort it or take it for granted. This star-spangled time each summer invites us to look more closely at the gift of our citizenship.

1. Do we vote?
2. Do we diligently study candidates’ philosophies and voting records?
3. Do we disregard party and personality in the interest of ethical, world-conscious leadership?
4. Do we consistently study issues and express beliefs to elected officials?

When I listen to some political talk shows, it scares me. Some of these pundits have badly confused patriotism with nationalism. Patriotism is always fed by unbiased truth, mutuality and respect. At its heart is freedom — for everyone. Nationalism breeds states like Nazi Germany in the past century and North Korea in our own. It is fed by unexamined fears, conspiracy falsehoods, control and abuse. At its heart is domination – over everyone.

We live in a wonderful country where most citizens understand the huge difference between patriotic devotion and nationalistic arrogance. Our young men and women are willing to fight and die for that difference. Our brightest leaders have given their lives for it. We must never cheapen these sacrifices by espousing the false “Americanism” of isolation, exclusion, domination or conceit.

Let’s turn off the exploitive and manipulative cable channels. Let’s listen to our own hearts where the essence of freedom beats like a minuteman’s drum – where truth was breathed into us long before we even knew we were Americans.

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