[August 10, 2025] A few months ago, while I was speaking with a group of high school-aged kids, we got on the topic of selfless service and duty. One asked me why I was an American Patriot – my business card lists “American Patriot” as my job, and I certainly do not hide that fact. I didn’t give ‘What is American Patriotism?’ a satisfactory answer to the student, so I’ll try to do that here.
What I discovered is that many Americans do not understand what “patriotism” means, and unexpectedly, some have a negative view of it, linking patriotism to a rigid, traditional, patriarchal structure. While patriotism refers to a social structure, that structure binds everyone together if that nation/community is functioning correctly. Patriotism is pro-people, and it excludes no one from stepping up and being loyal to their country.
But there’s more to patriotism than that. It is also a level of maturity that demands we bear up under our duty as citizens and be responsible for ourselves and our families. And if we succeed at that, then perhaps we can take on greater responsibilities in our community and nation.
This maturation doesn’t determine our identity, but it does enhance our perception of the world, develop our thinking to know the difference between good and evil, more easily identify propaganda, and help us “see” the moral path ahead.
In a world that rewards narcissism and sociopathologies, American patriotism promotes the Judeo-Christian core values of liberty and freedom, integrity and honesty, religious faith, family, individualism, and defending the helpless. Perhaps this is why so many have come to see America as a beacon of light in a dark world.
It is no surprise that America is a popular nation. This is true, in spite of its political schizophrenia and divisiveness on social issues. Universally, we are appalled by corruption, abuse of women, children, and animals, slavery, and violent crimes. As well, Americans do not like people who take undue advantage of others, nor those who lie, cheat, or steal; just a few behaviors that we have a particular distaste for.
Americans recognize their problems but don’t like their noses rubbed in it, as such an act would be considered disrespectful.
Let me correct another misconception. American Patriots do not get paid to be a patriot. We get rewarded in a different kind of wealth. We do not receive money or goods for what we do. We are patriotic out of love for our brothers and sisters of America, many of whom have fallen on hard times. We do it because we don’t know any other way.
Ultimately, American Patriotism means never leaving an American behind. They call, we are there.
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Gen. Satterfield is DA MAN who I go to for what is American Patriotism.
Gen. Satterfield, thank you for saying what needs saying about American Patriots. We are the ones who are there to make sure our citizens remain safe and protected. Not the crazies who “protest” because their pronouns are insulted. We protect all, regardless. How about some humility from the radical leftists who want to usher in a Marxian Utopia? They should study the 100 million who died in the last century for doing exactly what theya re now trying to do.
Well said, Gen. Satterfield 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
I found some statistics on patriotism by age and thought I’d share.
Share of adults proud to be American in the United States in 2024, by age
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1359532/share-adults-proud-american-generation-us/
As of 2024, patriotism in the United States varied greatly by age. According to a survey, 21 percent of those between 18 and 34 years of age considered themselves extremely proud to be American. In contrast, about half of respondents 55 and older considered themselves extremely proud to be American.
…I’m not at all surprised to see young people less patriotic with all their Political Leftiist teachers from kindergarten and up. Our core public education system has failed in many ways and this is another.
Indeed unfortunately true. But from the trend data, there has been an uptick over the past year.
Hi sir, you made me think about being more patriotic. I can see the influence of Dr. Jordan Peterson in your words today and, of course, that is expected as you advance the idea of what makes up the heart of that idea. I would ask that you follow up with some examples.
Good to see Gen. S. back onto Patriotism.
Sir, good start on your relook at American Patriotism.
Let’s not forget your main article: “ Why I’m an American Patriot”
https://www.theleadermaker.com/why-im-an-american-patriot/
Being an American Patriot is not dependent upon your social status, who you know, your job, where you come from, your party affiliation, or the color of your skin, or being a part of any politically-correct victim groups so many folks want to be part of today.
Patriotism is an idea. And that idea cannot be destroyed by any law or by edict. Believing in American values works – liberty, individualism, democracy, family, responsibility, and faith.1,2
American Patriotism is the love of the United States of America. Period. Nuff said.
Thank you, Fred. I appreciate the link.
“True patriotism springs from a belief in the dignity of the individual, freedom and equality not only for Americans but for all people on earth, universal brotherhood and good will, and a constant and earnest striving toward the principles and ideals on which this country was founded.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
True, but American citizens first and foremost.
Yes, and I think this is closer to what Gen. Satterfield means in this article. A quote from another famous army general.
“I see that the old flagpole still stands. Have your troops hoist the colors to its peak, and let no enemy ever haul them down.” — Douglas MacArthur
EXACTLY
Beautiful!
🇺🇸 Sir, we’re proud also to be American Patriots just like you and those who have built our nation and continue to believe faith, family, and freedom are the core values of all good Americans. Thank you for updating us on America. Loving it. ❤️🇺🇸🙏
You go girl.……
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Just what I like to see. Great American Patriots are here to help those who need help and to step up when called upon to defend her against evils of the world ….. and against the mentally insane who are now committing so much violent crime (encouraged by our Democrat Party leaders). Real Americans know that working hard for ourselves also benefits our country.
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GOD BLESS AMERICA
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HimJason, I think you are like those of us who actually believe in the idea man has a good heart but that we must also be aware of the evil that also lurks in our hearts have be ready to overpower those tendencies.
exactly
nice