Patriotism, service can mean different things

By: 
Richard W. Kucksdorf
Columnist

On Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001, at 8:45 a.m., American Airlines Flight 11 flew into the North World Trade Center Tower. This was followed by the crash into the second tower at 9:02 a.m. by United Airlines Flight 175. American Airlines Flight 77 then crashed into the Pentagon, and in a demonstration of patriotism service and selfless sacrifice, the passengers of United Flight 93 stormed the cockpit and crashed their plane into a field in the Stonycreek Township near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

If you were alive and old enough to be aware, you know where you were and what you were doing when this tragedy occurred. 9/11 is the single deadliest terrorist attack in human history and is also the single deadliest day for law enforcement and firefighters in United States history; 343 firefighters and 72 police officers were killed. Killed because of the attack, but ultimately killed because of their selfless service to their communities.

Patriotism was demonstrated by President George W. Bush on Sept. 14. As the president was touring the smoldering remains of the towers he walked onto a pile of rubble along with Bob Beckwith (an elderly firefighter) and said into the bullhorn, “I can hear you; the rest of the world hears you, and the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon.” Loud shouts of “USA! USA!” followed, which was the result of this spontaneous demonstration of patriotism and the bonding of a nation.

Patriotism is different for each individual, so take a moment and think. What does patriotism mean to you?

For some, it is love of country and our founding principles, respecting the flag, standing when it passes, or standing for the anthem, respecting the president no matter the political party, not taking individual freedom for granted and understanding my rights as an American citizen.

It is the understanding that, as Americans, we have the right to speak freely and disagree while maintaining pride, loyalty and a devotion to this great country. It means not going against what America stands for, and most of all respecting and supporting the men and women who put their lives on the line daily to protect this country and our individual rights.

Selfless service and sacrifice is a core principle demonstrated by our founding fathers. In the formation of our republic, and in signing the Declaration of Independence, the founders pledged to one another, “our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.” We understand that sacrificial leadership is selfless, not self-serving.

In the military, we value selfless service and the individual is evaluated on service to others. What does service mean to you?

Service for some is giving of yourself or to a cause much bigger than you. Some say that service is to provide a result to a person or group at a value that could never be repaid. Service might be taking care of an elderly relative, friend or a group in need. For some, service is bringing value to a group or individual at the expense of the person performing the service which could be financial, physical and mental — or even your life.

Today, people like to thank military people for their service, and we do appreciate the sentiment. My response is to say, “Thank you, but it has been an honor for me to be allowed to serve for 34 years. I have been given so much, there is no way for me to ever repay this great nation.”

So, what does this mean to me? I had the distinct honor of service in the military for 34 years with two combat commands in Iraq. Under my command, I saw selfless service and patriotism demonstrated regularly. While in Iraq, I attended numerous memorial services for fallen troops. “Taps” was always a song that choked me up before, but not any longer, I think because I heard it so frequently.

I saw patriotism and selfless service demonstrated one day in August 2005. I was leading a patrol when we got hit. Five out of nine troops were killed or injured. As one trooper lay dying, another soldier held him in his arms feeling helpless but wanting to give as much comfort as could be given. I spoke to the soldier who held the dying trooper, and he told me how helpless he felt, and that he kept trying to put his body parts back inside but he could not.

To me, that is the ultimate demonstration of patriotism and selfless service one to another. The dying soldier could never repay the soldier who held him. The soldier who held the dying soldier knew that SFC Benson would give his life a second time if he could have.

Today, “Taps” does not affect me in the same way it did before I went to Iraq. Today I get very emotional when the national anthem is played or sung. The anthem and the flag represent all the sacrifice and service freely given by so many for each American and many around the world. To me, the American flag represents all that is good and is the ultimate symbol of selfless service, sacrifice and patriotism.

Richard W. Kucksdorf is a retired U.S. Army colonel residing in Bonduel. Kucksdorf has other writings on his website, “Observations From Flyover Country,” at rwkucksdorf.com.