THREW Mikes EyEz

Original Writings, Images, Video and Artworks of Mike Hartley

Tag Archives: dailyprompt-1850


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Yes, to the?

Are you patriotic? What does being patriotic mean to you? – An interesting and timely question for this country.

Yes – Willing to defend this country and living by the Constitution. Respecting and supporting those who serve and served. I cheer our teams at the Olympics and other international competitions. At one point I thought this country had a greater sense of shared values but I’m not so sure anymore.

I’m being told I’m the enemy of the people by our current president for working a job I had for decades and having opinions that run contrary to his. While at the same time considering myself a patriot, and far more than the one accusing me of not being one. I get the feeling the country is at war with itself.

We seem to be divided more than any point I can remember. I think it even exceeds the turmoil in the 60s and 70s. And I was around for that mess also. This separation is running deep breaking families and long-standing friendships. I don’t think either side feels less patriotic than they were before all this division started. I love the flag just as much as any flag waving MAGA person.

We have separated into us and them. We don’t debate issues, you either tow the current line, or you are the enemy and need to be punished. Our way or the highway. Well, that isn’t the way it’s supposed to be.

If you want to be patriotic. Spend a day at Arlington National Cemetery and feel the magnitude of sacrifice. I’m going to do that in March when it warms up.

Beautiful headstone. Photo by Mike Hartley


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Respect

Are you patriotic? What does being patriotic mean to you? So asks the daily writing prompt.

I believe I’m patriotic. I vote every election. I respect the service of our military members greatly. I honor their service often. I respect the flag and our constitution. I didn’t make it to the second line of this before tears filled my eyes looking at a picture of my parents who are buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Beautiful headstone at Arlington National Cemetery. Photo by Mike Hartley

I spend some time there so I see the pain the ultimate sacrifice leaves on families.

Having grown up in a military family I was taught respect. My fathers last station was Bethesda Naval Hospital. He passed when I was young but with our medical coverage we continued to go to that hospital. That timeframe of 61-74, I spent some time at that hospital. It was one where injured service members were returning from Vietnam with horrible injuries.

I was very young and the sacrifice of these people was front and center for me. How could it not be, seeing young men missing limbs or bodies/heads disfigured by war. Prosthetics were what looked to be in their infancy stage and many just didn’t have any to use.

A vague memory of being startled the first few times seeing a person missing limbs or worse and my Mom having a talk with me about not looking away but making eye contact, nodding and smiling. That it would make them feel better.

Opinion – With the WWII generation all but gone, and the Korea and even Vietnam era vets ranks getting thinner and thinner, I believe our country is forgetting what sacrifice is. I wonder if we could actually pull together in a crisis like the country did in WWII?

Opinion 2 – I respect every other citizen of this country and their right to also vote.