Why Are Southerners So Patriotic?

https://www.southernliving.com/4th-of-july/patriotic-people-southerners

People south of the Mason Dixon have always been patriotic. No matter what our political persuasions might be. No matter how thrilled or dismayed we might be with Washington at any given moment. Somehow, we’re able to separate American politics from American ideals, and the latter will always be a source of pride for us.

Some of our patriotism is rooted in World War II, when even Southern civilians saw the war effort “up close and personal.” Bargain-priced land and an eager workforce made us a key component of the war machine, with munitions factories and shipyards springing up down South.

Also, Southern states are home to many, many military bases, which become vital parts of our communities. We feel a kinship to our men and women in uniform. On the Mississippi Gulf Coast, airmen and other personnel from Keesler Air Force Base helped with recovery efforts after two of the worst hurricanes ever to hit the continental United States, Camille in 1969 and Katrina in 2005. North Carolina’s Fort Bragg is home to almost 55,000 troops and 14,000 civilian workers, while Camp Lejuene, also in North Carolina, provides a major training facility for Marines. The Navy’s famous Blue Angels call Pensacola, Florida, home, and it’s not unusual to see sailors in uniform on the popular waterfront boardwalk there. There’s the Norfolk Naval Yard in Virginia, the Pentagon in D.C., and one of the most sprawling U.S. military installations anywhere, the Army's 214,968-acre Fort Hood, in Texas.

Proximity alone makes us attuned to the sacrifices and challenges faced by military families, and that makes us appreciate them all the more.

Of course, patriotism isn’t the result of military strength but the reason for it—we believe in what our country stands for and are committed to defending it.

As the Fourth of July approaches, we asked our Facebook Brain Trust—why are you patriotic? Here’s what they said. How about you?

"It's just Southern, proper, and American to be patriotic."

“When my fiancee got orders to go fight in Iraq for the 101st Airborne Division of the Army, we had 4 days to prep him—and to secretly get married. I spoke to him 4 times in the 8 months he was gone.”

“My husband is 17 years in the Army. I'm patriotic because, despite our faults, we still enjoy more freedoms and opportunities than any other nation."

“My ancestors were immigrants, and each generation had more opportunities to pass on to the next. Neither of my parents had the opportunity to finish high school, but they were proud and grateful for the richness of their lives. And I am grateful for them.”

“I have personally felt the sacrifice that many make for their loved ones to be in the military to protect our freedom, and I hope to never experience the loss of a loved one while they fulfill their commitment.”

“We have the right to complain, argue, and share our opinions, even if no one else agrees (or cares). We may differ, but when it comes down to it, we are one big melting pot that is extremely rich with cultures from many lands. I'm proud to have a say, however small it is, in how our country is run. We are blessed beyond measure."

“During my school years, we were taught to be patriotic. We sang the National Anthem, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and prayed for our country. My 12th-grade economics teacher told us it was not only our duty, but our privilege to do so. I know we have the greatest country and more freedoms than most. And I love the USA.”

“I'm patriotic because I love my country. I am proud to be American. I am free because our military sees to it. God bless America,  our military, and our firefighters, policemen, and first responders, as well.”

“I was in 2nd grade the year of our bicentennial. We learned every patriotic song, recited the Pledge of Allegiance every morning, and even said the Lord's Prayer in a Birmingham City School. Many people in my family have served in the military, so we always have an active military or veteran at our gatherings on patriotic days, and that person always leads the blessing before we eat. It breaks my heart when I see people disrespect our flag or our country."

“I am patriotic because Americans have died to keep me free since the Revolutionary War was won in 1776. My step-father-in-law fought in WWI, my father in WWII, and my husband served during the Vietnam conflict, where some of our friends gave their lives. Freedom isn't free, and each time I look at our flag it reminds me of the sacrifices that have been made to allow us to live in the greatest country in the world. You can tell I am passionate about our country and what we enjoy here. May God continue to bless the USA!”

“I'm patriotic because I was raised right! When my daddy was 17 years old, he joined the United States Marine Corps and fought for our freedom. I was born in a Naval hospital and grew up on a military base. I was taught in school and at home to respect my country. Living on base, there was a certain time of day when the flag was lowered. EVERYONE stopped whatever they were doing—driving, walking, running—until the flag came down.

“God bless the USA! What an incredible experiment.”

“I'm patriotic . . . BECAUSE.”

@the-cysko-kid said:

Oh ccclgbt, you poor thing. Once again you're missing the point completely. It's not offensive. Because time keeps on moving and unless you're a perpetually outraged leftist you can't hold grudges forever. My grandfather fought at Iwo Jima. And he still bought me my first Nintendo in 1986. Made in a country still nominally ruled by Hirohito. You know why? Because he wasn't a sissy. Japan was able to reinvent themselves. So was Germany. So was the South. None of them have to deny dark periods in their history for do we have to ban all mention of it. As long as we can own up to it it can be moved past. 

Non Cheetos Jesus. How many time do I have to make this same point. Do the Japanese or Germans look back with pride of what they did in WWII?  Did they put up hundreds of statues honoring the leaders of military during WWII? Are there a bunch of schools named after Erwin Rommel or some of Japan's WWII generals? 

There is a difference between acknowledging the "dark periods" of your history and celebrating those periods. 

@cccjwh said:

You can use the same reasoning to justify the Nazi soldiers decisions. Poor Hans was just fighting for his family back in Germany.

I have heard all of the excuses for the traitors. Hey they were just following orders, right. But this isn't about them, they were forgiven for their treason. It's about people idolizing the South for wanting to keep people as slaves. Proud that half the country revolted and caused hundreds of thousands deaths, set back the country for a few decades. All because they wanted to keep on owning people. 

@cccjwh said:

Wow did you hurt yourself making that reach? 

World War II was 1945 nearly a hundred years after the Civil War.

WSS

@the-cysko-kid said:

Not at all. What I'm saying is certainly you don't own anything by Sony or Nintendo or Nissan do you? I mean, heavens to betsy, that would be extremely offensive. 

Wow did you hurt yourself making that reach? 

@the-cysko-kid said:

I suppose cccjlgbt and Cleve hold the Japanese to the same standard as the descendants of Confederates and nazi soldiers, yes? You don't have any Japanese stuff do you, kids? I mean an awful lot of our brave fellow Americans died fighting them in the Pacific after they sneak attacked us, right? And their actions against the Chinese...hoo boy. That would be a heck of a double standard. 

The Japanese were worse than both. You act like it some hidden gem that only you know about. 

@clevfan4life said:

Do these ngr fgts ring any bells for u?

Interestingly I'm not seeing any Confederate flags there. Am I missing something?

@the-cysko-kid said:

Even Lee himself spoke out against succession and by all accounts Jefferson Davis was none to pleased to have been elected president of the Confederate states. 

Lee's price was Arlington National Cemetery established on the Lee family plantation (via his wife's family) around Arlington mansion. Poetic Justice at it's best.?

@the-cysko-kid said:

Who, exactly, is idolizing the South for slave society? I'm pretty sure you won't be able to give any specific examples. 

Do these ngr fgts ring any bells for u?

@cccjwh said:

Typical response of someone arguing on inherently broken logic. 

Nice try though. 

@calfoxwc said:

No, the answer is obvious. Just look past your gay pinko beak.

Then what is it?

You said Confederates were real Americans

You haven't said Yankees were

@the-cysko-kid said:

 horseshit just further cementing your simple black and white thinking. Are you even capable of higher thought than a dog?

Typical response of someone arguing on inherently broken logic. 

@the-cysko-kid said:

Typical response of someone arguing on inherently broken logic. I wouldn't bother to go any farther down that road if I were you either

Grant remarked that he was filled with sadness and depression at the defeat of the South and could take no joy at the vanquishing of an enemy who had fought so hard and valiantly despite their cause being one of the worst anyone has ever fought for.

Again this is typical liberal oversimplification. The wealthy plantation owners pushed for secession but the majority of the rebels were regular non-slave owning American boys and men that were roped into the war with big politicians' silky words about fighting for their homes and families. I can't find it in my heart any more than Grant could to condemn the typical Confederate fighting man. 

You can use the same reasoning to justify the Nazi soldiers decisions. Poor Hans was just fighting for his family back in Germany.

I have heard all of the excuses for the traitors. Hey they were just following orders, right. But this isn't about them, they were forgiven for their treason. It's about people idolizing the South for wanting to keep people as slaves. Proud that half the country revolted and caused hundreds of thousands deaths, set back the country for a few decades. All because they wanted to keep on owning people. 

@mld-woody said:

Were Confederates Real Americans? 

The original real Americans.

@texasag1969 said:

Funny thing is I live within 20 miles of a place where no less than the Father of Texas, Sam Houston, gave one of his anti--secession speeches from the balcony of a still existent Inn on the Salado River. He paid the price of ostracism for his stance. But it earn him a permanent place in John F. Kennedy's "Profiles in Courage" with the title of Chapter V, "...I can forget that I am called a traitor."-Sam Houston

Even Lee himself spoke out against succession and by all accounts Jefferson Davis was none to pleased to have been elected president of the Confederate states. 

@the-cysko-kid said:

Again this is typical liberal oversimplification. The wealthy plantation owners pushed for secession but the majority of the rebels were regular non-slave owning American boys and men that were roped into the war with big politicians' silky words about fighting for their homes and families. I can't find it in my heart any more than Grant could to condemn the typical Confederate fighting man. 

this is exactly true. Probably all the time, the truth is more comprehensive than a simple emotional knee jerk from a liberal.