If you go to watch a football game at SUNY-Maritime College, don’t expect to see the name of the players on their jerseys. Instead, you’ll see words such as Respect, Family, Humility, Sacrifice, and Accountability emblazoned on the backs of the team. This college football team in New York City is honoring their head coach, Clayton Kendrick-Holmes, who has been called to active duty in Afghanistan. Before his team even takes the field, Coach Kendrick-Holmes reminds the players to put those words into action and to play the game of football with those principles in mind.

Clayton Kendrick-Holmes is a Lieutenant-Commander for the U.S Naval Reserves. Also, he is a candidate for the NCAA Coach of the Year Award. When he is deployed in November, he will be leaving behind his wife and two young sons.

Does patriotism still matter? Just ask Coach Kendrick-Holmes. He’s putting his career on hold to serve our country. What he’s doing is showing his true character and how passionate he is about protecting our freedom. There are many more stories across this great country of men and women just like Coach Kendrick-Holmes – stories of self-sacrifice to ensure our nation’s freedom. Freedom from oppression; freedom from tyranny. Freedom to pursue one’s dreams! For me, patriotism is being willing to make the ultimate sacrifice not only for fellow soldiers, but for my country and for my family. Clayton Kendrick-Holmes is demonstrating that not only does patriotism still matter, but it’s alive and thriving in America.

When some people think of a hero, they think Superman or Batman. But the real heroes are the men and women of our Armed Forces whose bravery, strength, and willingness to serve are commendable. The patriots who founded our country realized the importance of faith in God to advance the causes of freedom. That was true then, and it’s still true today. Patriotism is paramount in preserving our freedom. It’s the fabric of our country. It unites and inspires us as a nation.

I thank God for bringing men of faith who want to preserve what is moral and just and uphold the principals of the Constitution. I thank the brave men like Clayton Kendrick-Holmes who listen to their calling – the soldiers past, present, and future who are passionate about keeping the American dream alive.

Dear Soldier,

What is patriotism? Is it standing up for what is right? Is it loving and loyal support of one’s country? People may love living in the United States, so does that make them patriotic? Patriotism is probably one of the hardest words to define in today’s society.

Soldier, you are a patriot. You risk so much, your sanity, your secrets, and your life. Yet, when you return home, you have so much pride, knowing that you served your country, knowing that you have made this nation a better place. Do your neighbors look up to you as a patriot, or do they see you as a hero? Or perhaps those two words share the same meanings, hero and patriot. Either way soldier, you are my patriot. You have fought to keep me free, you have fought to protect me, and you have fought to make this country a better place.

Who do you think are patriots, soldier? Are you too humble to allow yourself such an honor? Do you think of the men sleeping in the bunks next to you as patriots? Instead do you think of the family back home, waiting for their soldier to come back from the call of duty? In my mind, you are patriot; you serve our country in her time of need. You help make the United States a better place. You do so much. I sometimes wonder do you realize how sacred you are in today’s society? When you come back a veteran, people will look up to you soldier. They will notice what you have sacrificed to keep them free. I will notice, I promise you that.

Why does this matter? People today don’t understand this question. Their minds draw a blank, but for one word. That one word is veteran. Our nation’s veterans are what make this country what it is today. We would be nothing without them. Soldier, you will one day be a veteran. We will greet you when you arrive back home, with warm hugs and bright smiles, congratulating you on the task you have completed, bust most of all soldier, you will be congratulated on your patriotism.

Patriotism is defined as love or devotion for one’s country. Is patriotism in the United States still important today? I believe that it is for many reasons. Patriotism promotes unity of the citizens, it helps us carry out our civic duties, encourages people to help each other, and have superior ethics.

Patriotism promotes unity because people who love their country will work together for a common good. People can achieve more when they are working for a common goal. Unified people make the United States a better and stronger place because there is strength in numbers.

Patriotism assists citizens to carry out civic duties. One can support the government by voting for the best possible candidate and becoming educated on public issues. It is very important to support the United States military because they are fighting overseas and giving their lives for this country. Also, it is every American’s duty to obey the laws of this country. Being patriotic means that I stand up for my country and defend the constitution.

Patriotism encourages concern for the welfare of others. Volunteering is a great way to help and put others before you. For example, you can help the elderly, donate food to a local food pantry, or donate blood to a community blood bank.

Supporting the development of good morals and ideals is patriotic. Being Patriotic requires a good character. You cannot be devoted to your country if you don’t have strong morals. American citizens should be honest, loving, hard working, and ethical

As one can see, patriotism is very important in the United States today. With patriotism, we have good ethics, carry out our civic duties, and help other people. Without patriotism we would not be united people. I feel proud to live in this great country. But America would not be what it is today if we didn’t have patriotism.