Fly the American Flag in your heart

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I know there are many from other countries here, but I wanted to post this about how I feel about my country. I signed onto the web this morning and as usual searched the news to see what I wanted to read. Then I saw the subject line....number of Americans who fly the flag down....so I clicked it to read the article. It was about a poll taken to see what percentage of Americans do fly the flag. Let me say, I don't believe that not flying the flag is a sign that you are not patriotic. Flying our flag is an outward sign of pride and love for country. Remember the aftermath of 9/11? Everywhere you looked there was a US flag proudly displayed. What a shame that this is no longer the case. It seems to shout loud and clear..."WE HAVE FORGOTTEN!" The article states that patriotic sentiment is down since the 2003 entrance into Iraq. Patriotic sentiment is down....Why I ask...Why are some Americans saying, my patriotic sentiment has left the building? I can only conclude that these people equate patriotism with how they feel about politics, the president, the ongoing wars, taxes, the price of gas, whatever it is that they are angry about. Patriotism is not about any of those. It is about the love you have for your country. It is about the pride you feel when you see the mountains or walk along the beach. It is about the blood shed for freedom, shed by patriots down through history and still being shed today by heros that fight unselfishly for your freedom. Today, when you go for a walk, look down at the ground and as you do this, ask yourself, am I stepping where a patriot fell, shed his lifeblood and died so that all these years later I can take this walk in peace and freedom? As you drive through town, look across a field and listen, open you heart and hear the sounds of our forefathers as they march into battle. As you sit at home, close your eyes and imagine being there when The Star Spangled Banner was written, think about the sight that produced such a song. Think about those words. The rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night, that our flag was still there... OUR FLAG WAS STILL THERE, what a comfort, what a moment that must have been! That line alone gives me patriotic goosebumps! So, whether or not you fly the flag in your yard, you should at least fly it in your heart. Be proud to be an American, as Lee Greenwood says in his song....where at least I know I'm free! America, America God shed His grace on thee And crown they good With brotherhood From sea to shining sea God Bless My Country Reese Bishop