Patriotism isn't what it used to be

Today for some reason I found my mind reminiscing about some of the changes I have witnessed in my lifetime, particularly concerning changes in the attitudes of Americans toward patriotism and support of our country.

On December 7, 1941 my parents wept as we listened to the static dominated radio report of Pearl Harbor. Though he had not said one word about it they knew that my 19 year old brother would be “going,” which he did three days later.

During that war virtually every American contributed something to the war effort. Some of it was required, i.e., rationing of many products and commodities. Most was given of the free will of our citizens: war bonds, gathering of scrap metal, working in factories producing military supplies and every kind of giving.

Young men who were for some reason ineligible for military service were broken-hearted and used devious means to get in. Audie Murphy had his older sister write an affidavit lying about his age so he could go to war. He was 17 at the time and became a celebrated hero earning every U.S. military combat award for valor available from the U.S. Army.

In the Revolutionary War, Nathan Hale, an officer in the continental army, was apprehended by the British and hanged. His last words, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.”

John F. Kennedy, a patrotic hero himself, said “ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”

In subsequent wars young men have lied, cheated, protested and even left the country to escape military duty.

In no way do I mean to detract from or disrespect those brave young men and women who volunteer to support our nation and others today. They are to be honored and respected along with the great heroes of wars past. For some reason we seem to assume that their dedication should cover for our lack of patriotism.

What do we do to show our patriotism? In our county I have seen two businesses with signs that encourage us to “support our troops.” We put little plastic bumper stickers on our cars that say the same. Parents’ stickers say “My son/daughter is a Marine.” We stand up, put our hands, or hat, on our heart and those of us who know it sing “The Star Spangled Banner,” verse one at sporting events. If the second verse were ever sung it would be a solo. That’s about it for patriotism among every day citizens in America these days.

War bonds …? We complain because our taxes suport our military which keeps us safe from a world full of tyrant leaders who would love to take our coveted freedom from us.

During World War II entertainment radio was dominated with patriotic music. Our songwriters, musicians and our networks and radio stations did their part to “suport our troops.” How far do you think a radio station would get today playing even modern patrotic music, if there even were such a thing?

The following is one of those early 1940s popular songs. It made No. 7 on what we called the hit parade. It brings a lump to my throat even today because I know that it was written about a scene played out in recruiting offices around our country in the early days of World War II.

There’s a Star Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere

There’s a Star-Spangled Banner waving somewhere

In a distant land so many miles away.

Only Uncle Sam’s great heroes get to go there

Where I wish that I could also live some day.

I’d see Lincoln, Custer, Washington and Perry,

And Nathan Hale and Colin Kelly, too.

There’s a Star-Spangled Banner waving somewhere,

Waving o’er the land of heroes brave and true.

In this war with its mad schemes of destruction

Of our country fair and our sweet liberty,

By the mad dictators, leaders of corruption,

Can’t the U. S. use a mountain boy like me?

God gave me the right to be a free American,

And for that precious right I’d gladly die.

There’s a Star-Spangled Banner waving somewhere,

That is where I want to live when I die.

Though I realize I’m crippled, that is true, sir,

Please don’t judge my courage by my twisted leg.

Let me show my Uncle Sam what I can do, sir,

Let me help to bring the Axis down a peg.

If I do some great deed I will be a hero,

And a hero brave is what I want to be.

There’s a Star-Spangled Banner waving somewhere,

In that heaven there should be a place for me.

It makes me sad to realize that this brand of patriotism, though not non-existent, is very rare today.

Len Mason is a resident of Hayden Lake.