As we approach the finish line of 250 years as the United States of America, we are at a record low of patriotism. According to Gallup, only 58 percent of American adults reported being “very” or “extremely” proud to be American in 2025. In 2013, about halfway between the 9/11 tragedy and now, 85 percent reported being proud to be an American. We as a country dropped our level of patriotism by 27 percent in just 12 years.
While politics have become an increasingly divisive factor in our modern-day society, many Americans have begun to see alliance with political leaders and their choices as patriotism. Patriotism is defined as love and devotion to one’s country, not one’s president, politician or anything else. Simply love for America and its founding ideals of equality, representation, liberty and opportunity.
As the daughter of an immigrant, I was taught that there is no place better than the USA. It’s a place where anything is possible. Sure, the country does have its moments of lapse judgment, but so do all of us. That doesn’t make us any less valuable. The USA is one of the only places where you can openly criticize the government and continue living freely without consequence. These freedoms and opportunities are things many people can’t even dream of, yet here, they are too often taken for granted.
On June 25, I will join the 50th class of women to attend the United States Naval Academy. Generations upon generations of both men and women have fought and sacrificed for the freedoms and opportunities that we are given. They chose to serve something greater than themselves, leaving a legacy of strength and perseverance behind. The responsibility of carrying on that legacy is not something I take lightly, but I am excited to continue defending the ideals that our beautiful country was founded on.
If my headline wasn’t clear enough: it’s cool to love America. Not blindly, but boldly. Love it enough to challenge it. Love it enough to improve it. Love it enough to stand up for what it should be. The future of this country doesn’t belong to people who give up on it; it belongs to those willing to fight for it, and I don’t just mean in the way I am.
Stand firm in your beliefs and fight for what is right, but also never forget that each and every moment of your life exists because of all those who have sacrificed for you. Love America and stand up for what you believe in. Last, but certainly not least: BEAT ARMY!
