Independence Day approaches and it is clear that, especially in an election year, all politicians must profess to be patriotic. Some are, and some are not. The thing about patriotism is that it is either in you or it isn’t. Patriots who have it, can spot it in others. Patriots live, breathe, and exude patriotism because it is part of their fiber. It becomes part of your fiber when you are taught, beginning as a child, that the root of America’s greatness is our freedom. You learn that America has freed millions of people from the grip of tyranny and oppression over our long and storied history. You learn that American freedom still serves as a beacon of hope for billions of people around the world. And while some people may not be proud of our country, Patriots are proud.

Lee Greenwood’s God Bless the U.S.A. (Proud to be an American) as sung by 5, 6, and 7 year olds at an elementary school in Virginia. They sing a patriotic song every day, right after the Pledge of Allegiance. This is how you make Patriots. Happy Independence Day.

Also find Bill Dupray at The Patriot Room.