Patriotism - Past, Present and Future

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service. In other words, we celebrate patriotism. Merriam Webster’s definition of patriotism is “Love for, or devotion to, one’s country.”

And that brings me to ask, what does the word Patriotism mean to you? Is it different for each generation? The answer to that question is a resounding YES! Why? Because each generation has had its own defining moments. As radio host Jesse Conrad says, “Learn from the past, watch the present and create the future.” So let’s take a trip across the 20th Century for a better understanding of this progression.

In the 1920s, the Great War had ended and the young were hopeful about their future. They fervently believed their government would protect them from people and things that would hurt them. Their motto could have been the song title, “Happy Days Are Here Again!”

Then came the 1930s. Those in their formative years during this time remember the Great Depression. They experienced the rationing and hardships of WW II. But they never lost sight of Rosie the Riveter or the raising of the flag at Iwo Jima. Their slogan might have been, “Hey Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?”

The 1940s saw the US entering WW II. The youth of this decade remember Pearl Harbor, the atomic bomb, and the beginning of the Cold War. But they remained optimistic throughout decade. Their song may have been, “Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition.”

When the 50s came along, the Baby Boom had begun. The largest generation in history was in its infancy. Sure, we had our troubles – the Korean war began and US troops were sent in, the Cold War loomed. Military superiority of the US became all important. I remember the “duck and cover” drills in grade school – how about you? But, once again, optimism won out. The song of the decade was decidedly, “Rock Around the Clock.”

With the 60s came unrest. This was the decade where life changed forever. The nostalgic Father Knows Best days were long gone. By mid-decade, the Viet Nam war was in full swing, and the protests were just beginning. The idea of patriotism and belief that our government would do right by us just wasn’t accepted by the youth of the day. Yes, our motto was “The Times, They are a Changin’.”

The 70s saw a carryover of the 1960s lack of faith in anything. Kent State, Watergate, Civil Rights - what did the youth of the day have to be positive, much less patriotic about? Viet Nam was finally over but it left much of the population demoralized. But let’s not forget what the great journalist Edward R. Morrow said, “We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. When the loyal opposition dies, I think the soul of America dies with it.” “A Bridge over Troubled Waters” could have been the banner of this decade.

Along came the 80s and the beginning of the Global Society. No longer were we a nation unto itself – the media kept us informed 24/7 of world events. There was no war to join or to protest. Things were relatively calm and the mantra became, “We Are the World.”

Nearing the new millennium, the 90s saw the end of the Cold War, but the Gulf war and Desert Storm followed closely behind. All of a sudden we had a banner to carry again. But countering that were the Oklahoma City tragedy, Columbine and Kosovo. This decade could be characterized as “A Candle in the Wind.”

Traditional Memorial Day celebrations and observance was greatly diminished over those last 30 years. No longer did we see the great parades. The population was on the move. No longer did we live our lives in one place, to be placed next to our ancestors and be celebrated by those who follow.

However, in the 1980s Patriotism revived. A Gallup Poll found that 81% of teenagers were very proud to be Americans. Beginning in 1998, The Boy and Girl Scouts of America have placed flags on the gravesites of our soldiers. And in 2004, Washington D.C. held its first Memorial Day parade in over 60 years.

Now that we are in the beginnings of the 21st Century, what will Patriotism mean to those who follow us? Will we proudly carry the flag of our country, or burn it in protest? Will we celebrate and honor those who have passed before us, or simply look at the day as another holiday for a BBQ poolside?

That, dear readers, is up to you. It is up to the elder generations to teach the young the importance of honor, duty and yes, patriotism. That’s the only way they learn. But don’t ever forget what columnist Bill Vaughn said, “A citizen of America will cross the ocean to fight for democracy, but won’t cross the street to vote in a national election.” Duty has many meanings and participation is no exception.

Linda Thompson is the author of Planning for Tomorrow, Your Passport to a Confident Future, a common sense approach to life planning; and A Caregiver’s Journey, You Are Not Alone, a survival guide for working caregivers. Every Generation Needs a New Revolution, How Six Generations Across Nine Decades can Find Harmony and Peaceful Coexistence, is Linda’s most recent book. To find out more about Linda’s presentation topics, contact her web site at Linda@LifePathSolutions.biz or 480-899-8647.