patriotism: The love for or devotion to one’s country.

— Webster’s Dictionary

My husband and I have attended the Memorial Day parade for many years.

This parade is held to honor all those who have gone before us to preserve our freedom. There are very few people who come to this parade, and those who come are the older generation. We bring our grandchildren, and following the parade, we attend the memorial service at Graceland Cemetery.

Our hope is that the young people who attend will get the message of the sacrifices that have been made for the freedoms we have today in America. We all, not just the youth, take these freedoms for granted. Somehow we seem to think we deserve, not only our freedom in America, but our affluence as well.

So very much has been sacrificed to ensure this freedom. Not just those who died, but for all those who lived, some maimed for life with many physical and emotional handicaps. I believe anyone who has served in the military has been indelibly changed. Men who saw action came home, many of them never to speak of their experiences, so horrible they just wanted to forget. Many formed life-long bonds, with fellow service men, only they understand.

Walking through the veterans memorial by the Freeborn County Courthouse, reading the names of people from our county who have served in the military during the wars, is very humbling.

My concern is that our country has lost our sense of pride and patriotism, our love and respect for our government, and consequently our respect for the men and women who serve, for us, in our place, in the military. My concern is for those who leave home and families behind. Certainly not for great monetary gain or the opportunity to see the world. Rather because they believe that they are helping to make this world a better place for their children and grandchildren.

When and how did it become less important to teach patriotism and more important to point out the mistakes, failures and wrong doings of our government?

Many veterans of World War II are gone. We have been fortunate to know many of them. Their lives were changed forever. They were and are good people.

How it must hurt to listen to the anti-war, anti-government rhetoric. Isn’t it interesting that those people whose outcry criticizing the government the loudest, stay in this country enjoying the many benefits and privileges it provides? And that thousands are entering our country every day, legal and illegal, many of them demonstrating for recognition of their former countries?

How can it be that we have let freedom so control us that we are not enforcing laws to protect that very freedom?

I think we may have depended too much on our schools and churches to teach the good things about our country, to teach morals, loyalty, honesty and integrity. We believe if we set good examples, that is enough. However, we need to verbally share life experiences, ideals and history, family and country, with our children and grandchildren.

We are nearing the Fourth of July. Do our children and grandchildren know what July 4 represents? Not just a parade, a picnic and fireworks? Do they really know what it cost 234 years ago to be this unique, newly formed republic? This baby country on its wobbly legs that would become the strongest, most respected leader in the world?

Just like each of us make many mistakes in our lives, our country was and is also going to make mistakes along the way. How many of us would leave to move to any of the many countries around the world?

I love the words of the song made famous by Lee Greenwood.

“God bless the U.S.A.”

If tomorrow all the things were gone I’d worked for all my life,

And I had to start again with just my children and my wife,

I’d thank my lucky stars to be living here today,

‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can’t take that away.

I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free,

And I won’t forget the men who died who gave that right to me,

And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today,

‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land

God bless the U.S.A.

From the lakes of Minnesota to the hills of Tennessee.

Across the plains of Texas from sea to shining sea.

From Detroit down to Houston and New York to L.A.,

There’s pride in every American heart and it’s time we stand and say:

I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free,

And I won’t forget the men who died who gave that right to me,

And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today,

Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land

God bless the U.S.A.

Let us vow to do a better job of teaching our children, of defending what is good about our country and changing what needs to be changed. May each of us celebrate Independence Day for the right reasons, the freedom we enjoy.

Rural Albert Lea resident Maureen Ruble is a member of the Freeborn County Republican Party. This is the final “My Point of View” column until after the November election.

My husband and I have attended the Memorial Day parade for many years.

This parade is held to honor all those who have gone before us to preserve our freedom. There are very few people who come to this parade, and those who come are the older generation. We bring our grandchildren, and following the parade, we attend the memorial service at Graceland Cemetery.

Our hope is that the young people who attend will get the message of the sacrifices that have been made for the freedoms we have today in America. We all, not just the youth, take these freedoms for granted. Somehow we seem to think we deserve, not only our freedom in America, but our affluence as well.

So very much has been sacrificed to ensure this freedom. Not just those who died, but for all those who lived, some maimed for life with many physical and emotional handicaps. I believe anyone who has served in the military has been indelibly changed. Men who saw action came home, many of them never to speak of their experiences, so horrible they just wanted to forget. Many formed life-long bonds, with fellow service men, only they understand.

Walking through the veterans memorial by the Freeborn County Courthouse, reading the names of people from our county who have served in the military during the wars, is very humbling.

My concern is that our country has lost our sense of pride and patriotism, our love and respect for our government, and consequently our respect for the men and women who serve, for us, in our place, in the military. My concern is for those who leave home and families behind. Certainly not for great monetary gain or the opportunity to see the world. Rather because they believe that they are helping to make this world a better place for their children and grandchildren.

When and how did it become less important to teach patriotism and more important to point out the mistakes, failures and wrong doings of our government?

Many veterans of World War II are gone. We have been fortunate to know many of them. Their lives were changed forever. They were and are good people.

How it must hurt to listen to the anti-war, anti-government rhetoric. Isn’t it interesting that those people whose outcry criticizing the government the loudest, stay in this country enjoying the many benefits and privileges it provides? And that thousands are entering our country every day, legal and illegal, many of them demonstrating for recognition of their former countries?

How can it be that we have let freedom so control us that we are not enforcing laws to protect that very freedom?

I think we may have depended too much on our schools and churches to teach the good things about our country, to teach morals, loyalty, honesty and integrity. We believe if we set good examples, that is enough. However, we need to verbally share life experiences, ideals and history, family and country, with our children and grandchildren.

We are nearing the Fourth of July. Do our children and grandchildren know what July 4 represents? Not just a parade, a picnic and fireworks? Do they really know what it cost 234 years ago to be this unique, newly formed republic? This baby country on its wobbly legs that would become the strongest, most respected leader in the world?

Just like each of us make many mistakes in our lives, our country was and is also going to make mistakes along the way. How many of us would leave to move to any of the many countries around the world?

I love the words of the song made famous by Lee Greenwood.

“God bless the U.S.A.”

If tomorrow all the things were gone I’d worked for all my life,

And I had to start again with just my children and my wife,

I’d thank my lucky stars to be living here today,

‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can’t take that away.

I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free,

And I won’t forget the men who died who gave that right to me,

And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today,

‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land

God bless the U.S.A.

From the lakes of Minnesota to the hills of Tennessee.

Across the plains of Texas from sea to shining sea.

From Detroit down to Houston and New York to L.A.,

There’s pride in every American heart and it’s time we stand and say:

I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free,

And I won’t forget the men who died who gave that right to me,

And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today,

Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land

God bless the U.S.A.

Let us vow to do a better job of teaching our children, of defending what is good about our country and changing what needs to be changed. May each of us celebrate Independence Day for the right reasons, the freedom we enjoy.

Rural Albert Lea resident Maureen Ruble is a member of the Freeborn County Republican Party. This is the final “My Point of View” column until after the November election.