Patriotism and Appreciation

I don’t know about you, but I am super excited that we are about to celebrate the USA’s 250th birthday! During the Bicentennial (1976), my husband and I were newly married and living overseas as a military couple. While there were plenty of activities organized to commemorate such an occasion, it just wasn’t the same as being in the United States for all the festivities back home.

Something that I vividly remember from our tours abroad are the occasions when we would go to a base theater. Oh, I don’t think I can even come up with one film that we watched, but I remember how each show began. No, they didn’t play a litany of movie trailers whose time threatens to rival the length of the movie. When the lights dimmed, a big, beautiful depiction of a flag would take up the screen, and we, to the man and woman, would stand, remove hats, place a hand over our hearts or salute, and recite The Pledge of Allegiance. Then the room would fill with the glorious sound of The Star-Spangled Banner. We would remain in a respectful stance and sing in honor of the United States of America. And I would sob. Sob for my home country that was thousands of miles away; sob over family members that I missed so very much; sob over past military personnel who had paid the ultimate price for the freedoms we enjoy.

Over the 2026 Memorial Day weekend, we attended a ceremony at Pikes Peak National Cemetery to honor the fallen. It was a beautiful observance with speeches from local dignitaries, a wreath-laying segment in honor of each service branch, and a very talented local band who regaled us with many patriotic numbers. Looking at the hoisted main flag at half-mast set against the background of the noble Pike’s Peak, as we stood to pledge Old Glory and then sing our national anthem, I cried. I cried for the brave men and women whose memories we were there to honor; I cried for those who are presently engaged in conflict away from their homes and families; and I cried for those who take all of their freedoms for granted and for those who have no regard for this “Land that I love.”*

I wonder what it would be like if people who are indifferent or downright disrespectful to our flag and our country were to be exiled elsewhere, especially to a place that has no regard for freedom at all. Would they then find it repulsive to stand and place a hand on their heart and pledge allegiance to the red, white, and blue? Would they then so easily disparage our country’s laws and leadership? Would they then be proponents of violence and hatred toward those who take a stand for patriotism and genuinely appreciate America?

For Christians who might believe their allegiance and respect belong to God alone, consider the words of the apostle Paul in the Book of Romans: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. … Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed” (Romans 13:1-3a, 7, ESV). Yes, as believers we are citizens of God’s kingdom, and we owe the Lord a debt of gratitude with full loyalty and allegiance. But, while he tarries, let us appreciate the place that he has given us as our earthly home and show due honor and respect to the flag and to the country we are privileged to call home. Happy 250th everyone – God bless America!

*Berlin, Irving. “God Bless America.” 1938.

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