Title: A Patriot’s gift is liberty.

So, they’re debating Senator Barack Obama’s lack of an American flag lapel pin. So, how should one show his or her patriotism? What constitutes a true American patriot? I’m not defending Senator Obama; I am not attacking him.

An American Patriot loves to fly his beautiful red, white and blue flag; he knows that hundreds of thousands of Americans have died so he can fly that flag. As I was when I was a child, I love to watch Old Glory wave gently in the deep blue sky. An American Patriot knows, however, that that freedom allows his neighbor to not fly that same flag.

An American Patriot loves to wear her beautiful red, white and blue lapel pin, for she feels there is no shame in being an American. This nation has saved the world from two horrific world wars, and the scourge of false communist totalitarianism. A patriot knows, however, that freedom means that others don’t have to walk in lockstep wearing that same lapel pin.

An American Patriot will say the Pledge of Allegiance without qualms. He believes that speaking those words says that he believes in the Constitution of the United States of America. He knows he’s pledging loyalty to the “republic for which it stands”, not to a President, a Court or a Congress. He’s saying he believes in freedom, even the freedom to not say the pledge.

An American Patriot is as nervous around someone who does not wish to show his or her patriotism as she is around someone who is too exuberant. She has seen too many people over the course of her lifetime shy away from signs of love of one’s country because they’re not sure what they’re really saying. They are confused and think that a show of patriotism means support for some foreign war, or for an unpopular president.

She knows that no matter what war is going on, whether she backs it or not, the Constitution is still the law of this great land. Sure, we misinterpret it, and misuse it sometimes, but that treasured document still sits there in Washington, guiding this land in good times and bad.

She also knows that there are those who put on false fronts, and say they’re patriots by their “over the top” expressions of Americanism; yet these people would force others to do as they do. She knows that a true American leads only by example and by love of liberty – not by coercion or oppression.

All patriotic Americans know that speaking out against perceived wrongs of government, no matter what the issue, is not being anti-American. In fact, not speaking out is more akin to the ways of Stalinist Russia than to the land of Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln.

All patriotic Americans know that the only way to defend this great country is to defend the principles outlined in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. We who love America believe our Constitution is the only hope for humanity on this Earth; we know that the loss of liberty means a descent into feudalism and dictatorship. In fact, we know that except for the benefits of liberty, there is only the rule of the haughty, powerful and angry.

Because we know these things we choose to not live as dictators. We choose to model freedom and allow others to live as they wish - as long as they allow others the same right.

Because of the blessings of liberty, and the hope the Constitution gives me, I joyfully hoist our American flag. I do this because no one is forcing me.

Because of the gift called the rule of law, I wear an American flag pin. I do this because I force no one else to do the same.

I wish to walk upon this land giving others around me the gift of freedom, as it was given to me, thus I dare wear and fly an American flag. Read this carefully: it is by giving others freedom that we receive it ourselves.

I am an American, and I wish you freedom from my image of how you should live your life. I wish to defend the gift of liberty that the both of us share – even if you are different from me.

I show my patriotism by giving you freedom while wearing or flying my beautiful red, white and blue flag. I am an American Patriot.

Thought for the Week: "How far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without?" - General Dwight D. Eisenhower

Edward Mooney, Jr., a Palmdale author, is a teacher at Quartz Hill High School.