"Patriotism is for Patriots" - Time Out #194

What makes a person a patriot?

Not real sure just when the human mental attitude for loving one's country is formed, but I am sure of one thing for certain.

I am an American patriot!

It doesn't matter where I am, putting my hand over my heart as our national anthem is being played, watching a politician bestowing an honor on a veteran U.S. soldier. walking the hallowed hills of Arlington National Cemetery while visiting my parent's grave sites, or simply watching Ken Burns' epic, 18-hour PBS documentary about Vietnam, I am always "all in" with my patriotic feelings about our great country.

I am sure lots of my life-long motivation has to do with growing up in a military household, under the guidance of my dynamic father, Air Force Colonel Clarence H. Breedlove. Also, I give role-model kudos to my older brother, C.H. Jr., who experienced military service as a captain in the U.S. Army, including his tour of duty in South Korea.

I had adolescent dreams of possibly flying jets in our air force, but all those thoughts evaporated when I had my vision examined in my early 20's, and was surprised to discover I needed glasses to help my distant vision. That eye examination "surprise" finding, coupled the fact I pursued an advanced professional medical education degree, caused me to take an alternate military training route. My first 2 years as an undergraduate student at Oklahoma State University, 1965-67, I took basic Air Force R.O.T.C. courses, then in the second semester of my senior year (1969), I joined the army reserve unit in nearby Ponca City. After I went through army basic training and advanced individual training, I was admitted to medical school, and, thus, was transferred to inactive military duty. Four years later, I received my honorable military discharge, fulfilling my total 6-year military obligation.

Even though I no longer had an active military obligation, I stayed in close touch with my school days friends, who continued to serve our country in their various military roles. Some were on active military duty, while others remained in the reserves. Some were sent to southeast Asia and Vietnam, a few were injured in the 10-year war there, and a couple of people I knew died in the Vietnam Conflict.

As many, many years have turned my calendars, I have had the wonderful privilege of traveling all over Planet Earth. Several destinations have really tugged at my patriotic, emotional inner self. Two of the biggies on my list have been the famous D-Day beaches of World War II in Normandy, France, and the peaceful, huge, American cemetery there, located above the tall ocean cliffs. The other location that always humbles me is our nation's capital, Washington, D.C. During my frequent visits there over lots of years, in addition to my regular visits to beautiful Arlington National Cemetery and its many humbling features, I almost always travel across the Potomac River to the National Mall area. Multiple repeat patriotic must-sees there have been the Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Washington Monument, Vietnam Memorial, World War II Memorial, and Korean War Memorial. Each of those structures are stunning patriotic symbols of America, and I get chills with each and every visit, walking through those individual sites.

I realized those "goose-bump type" feelings again, recently, when "The Wall That Heals" stopped over in Our Town. This outstanding exhibit regularly travels around our country for 4-day various city stays. The Saturday afternoon weather was beautiful during my local visit to the OSU campus location for the exhibit, and I stayed on-site experiencing the display for several thought-provoking hours.

How else have I elected to practice my patriotism? Because of my prior military service, I was eligible to join Our Town's American Legion Hanner Sharp Post #129 many years ago. Very soon after I became a lifetime legion member, my dear friend, Alan, who retired from his army military service, and I began heading up our local legion chapter's annual Boys' State selection process. Since I attended Oklahoma Boys' State in 1964, my oldest son, Allan, attended in 1993, and youngest son, Robbie, attended in 2001, it was a natural progression for me to accept this local leadership co-position, along with my fellow legionnaire and friend. It is so gratifying for me to followed these young men's careers, once they have been chosen to attend, and do so at this week-long, patriotic gathering held the end of May each year in Miami, OK.

As I reflect back over the years, I get warm feelings deep inside my soul, being so eternally grateful I was born in our wonderful country. I have been so proud to wear my patriotism on my "sleeve" every day of my life!!