A Letter to my Grandchildren about Patriotism

Dearest Grandchildren,

There are some experiences that we absorb into our core memories and we replay them over and over through the years. I still get cold chills when I remember our visit to Arlington Cemetery in Washington D.C.

We were standing before the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and a light, misty rain was falling. Rows and rows of white tombstones were all around us. Other than the sounds the guards made as they walked back and forth, there was no other sound.

Then, somewhere in the distance, came the sound of Taps being played. It was the loneliest, saddest sound I’ve ever heard. Tears slid down my cheeks and I shivered beneath my raincoat.

Why Patriotism is Important

Your great-grandfather’s both served in the military. My dad was in the Air Force and Bill’s father was in the Navy. You will never get to meet all of our ancestors who served in different branches of the military but there were many. One of our cousins, Todd Moore, was an Ace fighter pilot in WW11 and there were many magazine articles written about him. Moore’s Field (Glasgow, KY) is named after him. You can read about him and his awards online.

I know you are young and the concept of patriotism may be hard to grasp now, but it’s important. I really didn’t understand how important, until I saw people disrespect our flag and our National Anthem. That breaks my heart.

Everything in life comes with a price and consequences, and unless you know and understand where our nation started and the things we have been through, you can’t appreciate the sacrifices that were made.

This is what I’d like for you to remember about the way your Nana views patriotism.

It is a deep appreciation for what it took to create our country. It’s standing when the National Anthem is played. It‘s remembering the thousands of men and women who died defending that flag and our country, including your grandfathers, your uncles, and your cousins. It’s honoring veterans on November 11th because that’s Veteran’s Day.

So, my sweet grandchildren, if you do go to Washington, do go to Arlington and stand at the Tomb. Soak up your surroundings and when you come home, carry what you felt in your heart with gratitude and love for this country.

I love each of you dearly and I’m proud of the family you come from, and proud of the country that our family members served.

Love,

Nana