Essay:

I believe that patriotism is the basic moral fiber instilled within each of us and the basic foundation of the United States. We would be nothing without patriotism. American patriotism was created centuries ago, when our founding fathers rose up against England. As the colonists began to see themselves as Americans, their patriotism for their rights, beliefs, and land led them to victory against England during the Revolutionary War. Even our government was built on patriotism. As our founding fathers created the Declaration of Independence while the country still "belonged" to England. These people risked their lives in signing that document, but the patriotism they felt was to America not to England. These brave men were willing to risk their lives to begin a process to establish a new nation, why? Patriotism.

In our country's darkest hours, patriotism is what has carried us through the turmoil. When America is united, no one can stop us. This has proven true constantly throughout the history of our great nation. During World War II, Americans united in outrage after Japan's bombing of Pearl Harbor. The Pearl Harbor bombing acted as a catalyst for Americans to join the war. Overnight, Americans united against Japan, making the unconditional surrender possible, and to this day, Americans still quote Franklin D. Roosevelt's address to Congress, calling December 7, 1941 "a day which will live in infamy."

A more recent example of patriotism was during and immediately following 9/11. The police and firefighters united together, coming from all over the United States to help in cleaning up the debris and trying to save whomever they could in ground zero. We all felt like a victim of the attack, it was an attack against each of us and our society. Even if you were not immediately affected by 9/11, you were outraged, we all were. How could people do this? As we were glued to our TVs after the first plane hit, we were dumbfounded when another struck the twin towers. Then we discovered there had been an attack on the Pentagon. Everyone remembers that day: where they were, how they found out, and their first shock of it all. Right after 9/11 Americans were united, most people wanted us to strike back immediately. We were all united in outrage for what had happened, and wanted to know right then and there who had orchestrated these attacks. Many had a more personal interest in it, so many lives were lost that day: men, women, and children. 9/11 united all Americans with their patriotism and their outrage. We are America, and an attack against our country is an attack against us. United we stand, divided we fall.

Patriotism is crucial to all Americans; it is not only where we came from, but also how we survive. It is a quality instilled within each of us from our heritage to this wonderful country. Patriotism is carried down from generation to generation. Although we all have different opinions and do not always agree on what is best for the country, when it really counts we are strongly united and ready to fight. Just as before Pearl Harbor, there were many people who did not want to enter World War II. But after Pearl Harbor they felt attacked, and at that time Americans united in the United States to get involved in World War II. Patriotism is very crucial to this country and part of its fiber, without patriotism there would be no United States of America.