Essay Example on What Does Being a Patriot Mean to Me

What Does Being a Patriot Mean to Me What Does Being a Patriot Mean to Me Our great country declared its independence on July 4 1776 On August 27 an estimated 10 000 patriots took the battlefield in Long Island to fight the first major battle of the American Revolution after this momentous declaration A brave soldier Commissioned Second Lieutenant of the German Regiment Fourth Battalion of the Continental Army stood on this battlefield willing to put his own interests behind to fight Who was this officer Someone who defines patriotism to me Someone who put their life on the line to help form this great country I am beyond proud to say this was my great great great great great grandfather George Schaeffer George Schaeffer embodies an example of a true patriot He came to this land in search of religious and political freedom in 1750 and he found the promise of these freedoms in our admirable country The Webster Dictionary defines a patriot as one who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests It also goes on to also explain a person who regards himself or herself as a defender especially of individual rights While showing patriotism is a part of being a patriot a true patriot is much more than hanging a flag outside the home and hosting the annual Fourth of July barbecue Patriots fight for their country They are willing to put their lives on hold to fight and protect the ones that can not contest for themselves 

They are willing to miss Christmas festivities and loved one s birthdays to be the heroes of their country I flung forward the flag of the country sure that the people would press onward and defend it a quote by our fourth president of the United States and founding father James Madison This statement is a calling to all true patriots in America Madison is calling us to spread the knowledge of the Constitution Like Madison not all patriots have to be war heroes Madison was a five foot four man that weighed under one hundred pounds He was unable to fight in the war for independence however he contributed in other ways Being a patriot can be taking the rights that so many died for and using them in daily life Madison believed that we would all be productive citizens that would serve his or her country in one way or another He trusted us with the patriotic duty to not let the spark of freedom die but that we would spread it like wildfire A true patriot will also be involved in their government Although I am not yet old enough to vote I know it will not only be my duty to vote but to make an educated vote The right to vote is a great privilege we need to hold dear We need to play an active part in our government to ensure that we have the right people in office John Quincy Adams was a strong patriot who a passionately supported freedom of speech and education He stated Courage and perseverance have a magical talisman before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish into air He understood the need to persevere no matter the cost Although the Battle of Long Island resulted in a British victory the fight for freedom continued under harsh unimaginable conditions George Shaffer along with many brave patriots took the battlefield in Trenton New Jersey on the morning of December 26 1776