What is a Patriot?

The definition of the word patriot in the American Heritage Dictionary states: One who loves, supports, and defends one's country.

To me, as a teenager, I originally thought being a patriot was nothing more than one serving in the military. I now realize that it means more, a lot more.

I have learned that being a patriot is one who is proud, who honors, and who cares about their country and the people in it. This is also someone who has fought to keep it and us safe. It can be the person sitting beside you, whether a child or a parent. It can be a teenager or elderly person. But it is someone who cares about their country and loves their country. It is the military member or the religious leader, males or females.

It means more than saying you are a patriot, or that you are patriotic. It means more than having a ribbon on your car or house. It means that you are somebody that does something for the country. You can volunteer, keep our country clean, protect and preserve it for future generations. Somebody that is a patriot will fly their flag and take care of that flag. They will respect the flag and what it stands for. They will stand and salute the flag in the parades, during the National Anthem, and during the Pledge of Allegiance. They are people who care.

A patriot means to show pride and honor for the country and to make sure it is taken care of. It means being loyal to your country.

Patriot means it is not just one person, it is everyone who cares. It means YOU!