What is a patriot?

I am an 11th generation American. I can trace and verify 11 generations of a direct paternal ancestor line all the way back to the 1600s. My ancestors and relatives have fought and served in every war from the Revolutionary War to the Gulf War. I myself have served in the armed forces.

Why am I writing about this? Recently, my “patriotism” has been called into question by a person who is a supporter of Donald Trump. I have been called a traitor, a “libtard” and other various insults by people who think that their political candidate is the only one who can lead this country into regained glory.

Our country is being torn apart by politics. Brothers attacking brothers. Complete strangers degrading and belittling other members of the country they pledge allegiance to. People wave the American flag yet hate other Americans who don’t look and act like them, or who worship a “different” God. A political candidate is poised to take the seat and reins of our country who spews hate and condones violence. Is this being patriotic? It isn’t to me.

When I took that oath when I joined the military, I took that oath for life. I pledged to defend our Constitution against enemies both foreign and domestic. Domestic ... let that sink in a little.

Do I think or feel that I am a patriot? Yes I do. I love our country fiercely. I will defend it until the day I die. I cringe in disgust at the level of hate I see being perpetuated and encouraged in this country. This level of hate is not what being a patriot is all about. To me, being a patriot is accepting, loving and supporting every citizen of this country. It is defending your country against attack, in whatever form it comes. It is defending people’s rights and freedoms they have been endowed with through our Constitution.

Nowhere in the Constitution does it state that your rights are invalid if you are black or white or Asian or Hispanic. It does not state that you are not entitled to those rights based on your religion.

Generations of Americans have fought to the death for their rights and your rights.

However, because I identify as a Liberal and a Democrat, I am called a traitor and unpatriotic despite the fact that I will fight to the death for your right to call me those things.

I remember that period of time after 9/11 when patriotism was strong and true. People came together and supported each other and our country as one. I wish we could be like that all the time. Politics should never be used as an excuse to hate your fellow Americans, because in the long run what will it accomplish?

I am an American patriot. I will always be a patriot and defend this country, Constitution and it’s people. I’m quite sure that this letter is going to inflame and enrage people, however despite that, being a patriot means that I defend rights to feel that way. — Linda Wheeler Greenfield Center