patriotism:  A Life-Changing fact

Pa·tri·ot·ism - the quality of being patriotic; devotion to and vigorous support for one’s country. I was born in Italy and lived there for a year, then I moved to Peru for 3 years. In these countries there weren't many things to be patriotic about. But when I moved to America it was different. When I started school it was different. People stood up to the flag and said something I didn’t understand. Why? Now years later I finally understand! People do it because they love their country, because they feel a strong conection to it. They stand up to that flag to show it. They stand up to that flag because they care because they want to be part of the country. Because they want to show their patriotism. 

Now I stand up to the flag and say the pledge because I am patriotic to this country. But as I do this I know that I am part of this country as well as I am part of Italy. I care for them both equally. And that will never change. No matter what anyone says, no matter how many people will try to convince me otherwise. I will always be part of both countries. Italy is where the rest of my family lives, although it is so far away I still love it. Just because America is where I live does not mean that it is the only country I can be patriotic to. 

The thing about my family is that every single kid was born in a different country. My brother in Peru, me in Italy, and my sister in America. Both of my siblings have 2 passports. Although I am not an American citizen I still love this country. That is the thing I love about patriotism. You can be patriotic to multiple countries. You are not limited to just one country. In fact, it does not matter if you are living in one country but are a citizen of another. You can be patriotic to any country you choose. As Eugene V. Debs once said, “I have no country to fight for; my country is the earth, and I am a citizen of the world.”