Where were you on September 11, 2001? If you were around on that day, you can probably name the exact spot and can recall what you were doing. We all watched in horror as the buildings fell and lives were lost.
As Americans, we celebrate our beautiful country during various holidays throughout the year, but on 9/11, now known as Patriot Day, we remember the nearly 3000 citizens who died and the over 25,000 who were injured, some sustaining long-term health repercussions.
A number of Americans have no personal memory of that day, either because they were too young or not yet born. But whether or not you were around that tragic day, perhaps there’s no better day than Patriot Day to discover what it means to be patriotic and what we can do in return for the United States of America.
There are several ways to honor the principles upon which our nation was built, some of them shared here, and we hope you will find it in your heart to do just that.
Learn American History
To understand how to be a patriot, a true champion for our country, it’s important to know how America came about. Learning American history makes us loyal citizens as we come together with common experiences and aspirations. Learning American history also creates intelligent voters who make better decisions based on knowledge of the past. We become good neighbors and stable, well-rounded individuals, tolerant of individual differences and appreciative of varied abilities and interests.
Make a pledge to yourself today to learn more about what makes this country great. If you’re a reader, look to your local library or you can find a great selection of books on Amazon. Are you a subscriber of Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime? Search “American History” for some suggestions. A number of videos can also be found on YouTube.
Support Veterans and Active-Duty Military
Taking care of the people who have served or are currently serving our country is an important way to show patriotism. You can show your support in many ways, from hiring veterans if you’re a small business owner, to participating in business initiatives and organizations that help active-duty service people and veterans. There are plenty of trusted organizations where you can show your support.
Showing support can be as simple as visiting with a veteran in your neighborhood, putting together a care package for someone serving overseas, or making a purchase from a merchant who donates a portion of the proceeds to a military support organization.
Vote
Election day is always the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. Elections have consequences and every vote matters, so make sure you are registered in your specific area to be eligible.
Don’t just wait for a big election. Vote in your local elections (school district, county, state, etc.) as well.
Voting is a right for those 18 and older, and while turnout has been on the rise in recent elections, there is still a large number of eligible citizens not exercising this right.
Fly the Flag the Right Way
If you don’t fly an American flag all year long, at least have one displayed on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Patriot Day, and Veterans Day.
There are right ways – and wrong ways – to display and handle the flag. For example, if you’re displaying the flag vertically, make sure the stars are on the observer’s left.
- Don’t let it touch the ground. If it does, make sure it’s in good condition before displaying it again.
- If your flag is on a pole, fly it at half-staff at the right times (half the distance between the top and bottom of the flagpole). Half-staff applies to flags flown on land while half-mast refers to those on a ship’s mast.
- Illuminate your flag if it is flown at night. On Memorial Day, the flag should be flown at half-staff or half-mast from sunrise until noon, and then raised for the rest of the day.
- Fly only an all-weather flag in the rain or wintry precipitation. A flag made of anything that will not withstand the elements should be taken down during inclement weather.
- Fly the American flag above all other flags.
- Dispose of an old flag in a respectful manner. Contact your local American Legion or a local scout troop to see if they have flag disposal ceremonies.
- When storing your flag, fold it the proper way.
Visit and Support a National Park
The National Parks Service protects many of the country’s greatest natural and historic treasures – and they’re available for the enjoyment of everyone. Many national parks and historic sites are free, but some do charge admission. When you pay your admission fee or make a voluntary donation, you’re helping the National Parks Service continue to preserve America’s cultural and natural history.
Whether you’re looking for a day trip or a week-long family vacation, you can find a National Park location that will provide a fun, educational, and patriotic experience. Here are the locations in Indiana and Kentucky that are near the Southwest Indiana area:
- George Rogers Clark – Vincennes, Indiana
- Lincoln Boyhood – Lincoln City, Indiana
- Lewis & Clark Trail – Indiana & Kentucky
- Abraham Lincoln Birthplace – Hodgenville, Kentucky
- Camp Nelson – Nicholasville, Kentucky
- Mammoth Cave – Kentucky
For all of the latest information on our local real estate market in Southwestern Indiana, you can always trust the professionals at F.C. Tucker Emge. Our agents have superior training and resources at their disposal so they can better educate you about the road to homeownership. Even if you are 6-12 months (or more!) out from making a change, there is a lot to learn about the home buying and selling process, and our agents can help you learn what you need to know so that you can be confident in your decision and have a smooth experience when the time comes. Let’s Talk!
