William Redmond: “Patriotism, to me, is the spirit and soul of a country. It is what keeps a country together not only through war and…”

“Patriotism, to me, is the spirit and soul of a country. It is what keeps a country together not only through war and hardships, but also through victory and triumph. What else could keep a soldier from losing hope in battle, a disheartened country from losing the burning desire to rebuild itself, a nation of divided citizens from dueling each other? It is patriotism that keeps our love of freedom alive. It is not money or wealth; it is not social acceptance. It is the pure goodwill of every true American that keeps our Nation's dream alive. Every day we show our patriotism in large and small ways: by proudly saluting the flag, by saying the Pledge of Allegiance, by celebrating the Fourth of July with its bursts of fireworks. Americans show their patriotism when soldiers give their lives serving our country and when citizens cast a vote in support of a candidate whose ideals represent their own. Behind our many freedoms, including the freedoms of speech and religion, stand all the men and women who, through dedication to their dreams and perseverance, through their struggles, have made so many opportunities ours.”