Letter: Patriotism now in vogue

Friday, Sept. 28, 2001 | 4:25 a.m.

The majority of the citizens of our country, as well as the majority of the world, are deeply shocked and saddened by the events of Sept. 11. We are pleased at the manner in which the world is pulling together and coping with the situation.

Having said this, I am also incensed by the well-meaning, but also "phony" show of "patriotism" by the Americans who wear this "patriotism" on their shirtsleeves.

Most Americans are displaying the flag in some fashion (although, according to the Flag Code, many of them are displaying it improperly). Besides the displaying of the flag, we are hearing patriotic songs repetitiously, witnessing ceremonies, and observing other somber and outward displays.

While these things are helping to solidify us and bring us together, why do we only wear our patriotism on our shirtsleeves? Why are we not flying our flags every day of the year? Why should it take a disaster of this magnitude for us to show our patriotism, and even then it is only outward?

As a retired teacher who taught for 32 1/2 years, I can tell you from experience that (maybe) 50 percent of today's students can recite the Pledge of Allegiance properly. Conservatively, 10 percent can sing the first verse of the "Star Spangled Banner," but not the other verses. Virtually no one knows the words of "America" nor "America the Beautiful."

Believe me, I am not blaming only the youth. How can they know if they are not taught? How many Americans can recite the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States? Americanism and patriotism have become passe and are only fashionable in times of crisis.

GLEN J. GILLETTE