Being About The Journey

I was raised with the understanding that you respected the President, saluted the flag, and felt a deep pride in being an American. My parents and teachers instilled in me the notion that patriotism was not just a word but a way of life. It meant honoring the sacrifices of those who came before us, participating in the democratic process, and recognizing the privilege of living in a free nation.

I dedicated the majority of my professional life to serving this country as a member of the U.S. Air Force and the Department of Homeland Security. For more than three decades I served with the belief that contributing to the nation—whether through military, civil, or community service—was a calling that connected me to something greater than myself. Service brought purpose, and it reinforced the values I had been raised with: loyalty, responsibility, and respect for the principles upon which America was built.

The national sentiment today feels very different. Patriotism, which once unified people of all backgrounds, has become divisive. What used to be simple gestures of respect—standing for the flag, reciting the pledge, honoring the office of the President regardless of political affiliation—are now often criticized or dismissed, mostly as White Supremacy. It feels as though many have replaced citizenship with skepticism, choosing to define themselves against the country rather than as part of it. I’m tired of this attitude, but I’ll never give up or give in.

This shift in national sentiment is disheartening. A nation thrives when its citizens believe in it, when they hold shared values that transcend political differences. Respecting our symbols and traditions does not mean ignoring our flaws; it means acknowledging our heritage while striving to improve. Without pride in our identity and a collective sense of responsibility, we risk losing the unity that allows a Democratic Republic to function successfully.

I don’t want to see our country destroyed in the mid-term elections. I’m not willing to live under a Socialist/Communist government. I’m not keen on that becoming the lifestyle in our great nation. Hopefully the voting will be honest and above board, but I’m not optimistic.