Issue Preview ~Spring 2003

Faces of Patriotism

By Tracy Million Simmons

In October of 2001, I watched my daughter prepare her Halloween costume. Evie Jo was five years old, and for the first time she was going about the venure solo. I supplied the materials, I helped her brainstorm, but the creation was hers, as was the work that went into it. She may have started out with the Statue of Liberty in mind, but what she finished with was a bright red gown, with blue stars and white stripes. It was very festive, and when I called her Ms. Patriotic she simply looked at me and wrinkled her brow in confusion.

Though I explained the word
patriotism
the best I could, I was left feeling that I hadn't quite reached the heart of the matter.

More than a year after the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, and what seems to have marked the beginning of my daughter's love affair with the red, white, and blue, I continue to dwell on the meaning of patriotism. I count the American flags flying on my way to the grocery store, 12 in a 15 minute drive, but what exactly does it mean?

For the full story pick up a copy of the Spring 2003 issue. Click here to find a copy.