I try to show my American pride throughout the year by flying my flag, thanking veterans, and doing my civic duties; however, during summer, I feel a surge of patriotism and am always looking for ways to show it. I find this time of year the perfect reminder to check back in with my community, and focus on what is important.
If you, like me, are looking for ways to celebrate this great nation, whether this summer, or all year-long, here are a few great options. Below I have outlined what I like to do to show my country some pride.
Hands down, the most important way to support our country is to show support to our veterans who fight for our freedoms. A smile and a thank you go a long way if you see a veteran out and about. Most who return from service are always happy to get a kind word sent their way. If you know anyone who is serving, helping their family or providing a care package is another great way to lend support.
When people return for service, they are not always treated well, and can find themselves struggling mentally, physically, or financially. There are endless ways to show support to former and current military. There are a lot of great organizations you can volunteer for that provide jobs, homes, and food for veterans.
One of the best ways to support veterans is to listen to their stories. Many of them were not provided a way to talk about their experiences. Lending a listening ear is one of the easiest things that can be a huge benefit to those who served.
Do Your Civic Duty
Doing your civic duty is (hopefully) something we all do on a daily basis. It can run from the simplest form, such as obeying traffic laws, to the more extreme of running for office. It doesn’t have to be as intense as running for office to make a difference. Each aspect of our civic duties serves a purpose for the greater good of our country.
Some of the most important things we can do for our society is vote. Voting ensures the democratic process continues properly, and the true representation of who we need in office is elected. Another important aspect of our duties is serving on jury duty. If you get summoned, the best thing you can do for our justice system is show up, ready to give yourself to the process. It is vital to remain perfectly honest through the process so justice can be served correctly.
The last and easiest we can do is to serve our local communities by volunteering for organizations that will benefit our fellow citizens. It is so easy to get distracted by our own lives, and forget that we are a part of a bigger organism. We cannot survive without our local communities, and vice versa. An important part of showing patriotism is recognizing that symbiotic relationship, and nurturing it.
Dress With Pride
Throughout summer, and on special national holidays, I try to wear my American pride apparel to show how grateful I am to be born into this country. I have a wide variety of outfits that I can rotate through during my summer months. It always brings me joy to see the American flag on clothing, walking around throughout the summer. Nothing says “Fourth of July” quite like a red, white and blue outfit.
It can be a tricky situation finding some higher quality apparel that is made in the U.S. that conveys the pride I feel knowing I get to be a part of this country. It doesn’t have to be anything too flashy, but respectful and dignified, like at americanswithprideapparel.com, where I can find a variety of pride pieces to fit my mood. I like to have a variety of pieces with accessories and items to match. When I am dressed for the Fourth of July, I want to be fully decked out. While it may seem like a small gesture, showing support to the country and your fellow country-men with a shirt, mug, or hat, can create a sense of camaraderie that tends to be contagious.
Fly the American Flag
I think it is important to showcase the flag all year round, which is why mine is always flying in front of my house. When flying a flag, there are a lot of important rules and regulations to follow. Before tossing your flag up on the pole, make sure you check out the official rules for flying a flag at https://www.usa.gov/flag.
Make sure if you do take it down after the holidays, the flag needs to be folded and stored properly so it is in tip-top shape for next year. Avoid having to burn and replace flags each season by getting a lidded container for the flag.
Celebrate With Pride
Now that you are dressed, flag-flying, it is time to go celebrate. To celebrate fully, find some great local celebrations, such as parades or firework shows. You can find and buy local produce for your BBQ, or support a local restaurant. You can always volunteer to help with the festivities, or provide needed services during them.
American pride is all about creating a sense of community, so invite your neighbors to join. It can be a great new tradition with new friends that can last a lifetime. Remember, this time of year is about enjoying the country we are lucky enough to live in, and creating a better one for our children to live in.
Just as important as showing your pride properly, don’t make these common mistakes when trying to portray your love of country. It is important to treat the country and its symbols with respect.