AMERICA MUST MAKE MORE PATRIOTS

AMERICA MUST MAKE MORE PATRIOTS

By Andy Weddington

Friday, 21 February 2025

I think patriotism is like charity - it begins at home.  - Henry James

A United States Marine is not born. 

A Marine is made. 

Signs aboard each of the Marine Corps recruit depots - Parris Island, SC and San Diego, CA - declare: We Make Marines!

Those who muster the courage to challenge Marine Corps entry-level training - stand atop a pair of yellow footprints - are patriots.

Courage amongst the first outward behaviors of a patriot. 

Those time-tested frightening footprints the starting point of the physical and mental gut check to earn emblem and title.

Most make it to altar. 

Some falter.

For not all of those patriots have what it takes to be made into a Marine; so determines the exacting and demanding Drill Instructors.

Yet not measuring up to Marine Corps standards no less the patriot.

And so it is first comes the making of a patriot. 

Like Marine, nor is patriot born. 

That undertaking begins after birth. 

At home. 

Parents teach and set example.

Teachers and coaches and scout leaders and police officers and firemen and even strangers teach and set example. 

Knowledge of and respect for our flag; recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance; standing for the National Anthem; founding of America history - civics; understanding of Declaration of Independence, Constitution, freedom; respect for veterans; etc. 

First through eighth grade - private parochial schools - I remember honoring our flag with the Pledge or patriotic song each morning before instruction (including American history and civics) began. Nuns partaking, of course. 

[The military honors funeral of a great uncle, artilleryman who lost a leg in combat during WWI, vivid as 60 years ago. There was nothing bionic about his wood and rubber prosthesis.]

That was not the case ninth through twelfth - public schools - though American history and civics and patriotism reinforced. 

College, mid to late 1970s, a different experience. But moot for the foundation of patriotism long before seared into heart, mind, soul.

Upon graduation, the decision to challenge Marine Corps entry-level "screening" (Officer Candidates School not so much training as it is finding those capable of leading Marines).

Forty-five years ago this month (26+ years in uniform).

Yet the years of youth made becoming a Marine possible - those years ever come to mind as foundation necessary for making a patriot. 

During this morning's walk, temps low 20s, thoughts about patriotism and current events. 

President Trump and his administration in Day 31. 

How best to summarize?

Remarkable! 

Patriots.

The President and all his people speak and carry on using the language and example of my youth and days in uniform. 

Many of them veterans. But first patriots. 

Relating is natural. 

President Biden was not (President). 

Shame on the on-duty oathtakers who failed their duty - abetting and cowering to the endangerment of our country at the hands of a cognitively incompetent President and god knows who was exercising those duties. Shame on them! 

All of them ought be arrested and charged - dereliction of duty; desertion; treason.

Perhaps on the task list of Attorney General Bondi.  

I cared not for President Barack Obama. 

Because nothing about him nor his governing represented patriotism. 

In fact, domestic enemy (my conclusion). 

However, he deserves full credit for authoring the greatest nonpartisan political three-words short story of all time ...

"Elections have consequences." 

The consequences of the 05 November 2024 election and 20 January 2025 Inauguration in a one-word short story?

Patriots. 

And those patriots - including our Marine Vice President - have duty: America must make more patriots, beginning at home. 

Thank you, mom and dad!