Thoughts on Patriotism Published Jan. 1, 2009 By Senior Master Sgt. Freddie Simon 932nd Maintenance Sq. First Sgt. SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- In a general way, patriotism means love of country -- love of one's country or one's homeland. Look deep into the patriot, and we find core values. I suggest that these core values are more similar than different, when compared across boundaries of politics, economics, language, and other cultural characteristics. Most of us share high hopes for ourselves and our fellow Americans. I believe there has never been another nation on this planet that has helped itself and others by Patriotism our compassion for the hungry, sick, poor, and oppressed. I believe that the American form of patriotism is love of freedom. Freedom to change jobs, to buy a car that you may not be able to afford, to save your money or spend it, to have a family or remain single, to go to church or not. These are simple human choices that many around the globe are denied and many would like to deny us. For the patriots who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, I'd like to share something I heard: "They gave all their tomorrows so that we can have our today." I would like to say THANK YOU and I'm honored to serve with such a dedicated group of PATRIOTS!!!