Patriots, Writer, Heroes, & Ladies

 It's the fifth of July, and thanks to a decent editorial in the Star Ledger, i find myself thinking about certain words, and their meanings. The editorial pondered the word "patriot", and wondered aloud why people react to it in different ways. I had my own thoughts on the topic.

As a passionate student of language, and how we use it in our lives, I've always had a certain reverence for some words. I don't trust anyone cocky enough to refer to themselves as a "hero". Women who loudly proclaim their status as  "ladies" are equally suspect, (In my humble opinion) and I don't believe anyone is a "writer" until at least three people who ARE writers accord them that accolade.

And then, there is the word "patriot". I was raised in a world where to earn that title, you had to be chased through miles by Hessians, intent on killing you for your beliefs. There was something both honest, and honorable about the word, and like the others I've mentioned, it's not a title you should give yourself. If people say that about you, it could be true. But calling yourself one? That sits badly with me.

I happen to love our country deeply. It welcomed my Grandparents on both sides, and gave them a place to raise their children. None of them attained English, but they made sure their children did---going so far as to forbid them to speak Polish or Czech amongst themselves. Many of my uncles served in World War Two. My dad was a Merchant Marine, and proud of his service during the war.

My generation was the first to go to college. My sister was the first female to get a degree. My roots could not be further removed from DAR, (Daughters of the American Revolution) but I love my country. I love the things we do wisely, and well. I love our potential for doing the right thing. And I love the fact that as a citizen, I have the right to say what I don't love as well. Saying that makes me no less a "patriot".

Yet I am uncomfortable with that title. I am wary of anyone who would drape themselves in such letters, because in doing so, I think they reveal how little they understand the word's meaning. Worse, they seem to suggest that anyone who believes differently is a traitor. Sounds more like a tory than a patriot in my book. For me, the founding fathers will always be a bit larger than life. The task they undertook was immense...and they did so only after drafting an ideal of who we would become afterward.

Reading the Declaration of Independence, you cannot help but be awed by the poetry, and brilliant simplicity. Our Constituion is  similarly penned, and no less amazing a document. The people who conceived such things were wildly angry with the Crown. They were furious about the abuses against the Colonies, and yet there is only sage thinking, and powerful prose to their declarations. They were the product of weeks of discussion, and argument...and they were perfectly articulate.

With such a grand legacy, forgive me for not trusting anyone who calls themselves "patriot". I knew a great man, named Tony Spivey. He was a retired marine who became a school teacher, and a poet. He told me a lot about his time in the service, always in a matter-of-fact sort of way. Tony was a bon afide hero, but would not let anyone call him one. If someone did, he would become upset...explaining that "better men were the heroes". He was unimpressed by his own service. He called the vast panel of medals he had earned "fruit salad"...even the ones he received from an American President.

So forgive me if there are words I believe no one can claim. They can be bestowed. They can be given to you by others...but no one should think them of themselves. I've known ladies, writers, and even a hero or two. But I have not yet met a patriot. Someday, I hope I will.