I love that my grandfather on my Mom's side was a pilot during World War 2. Apparently he was so good that they wouldn't let him go into combat overseas, which he was not happy about. Instead he stayed back at Hill Air Force Base and trained other pilots. I wish I could have known him but he died when I was too young to remember. (Not in combat.)

When we lived in North Carolina I was part of a project called The Silence of War. We interviewed African-American veterans from the Vietnam War. It was super interesting, and sobering, to hear what they had to say. A veteran by the name of Tex took me fishing and told me what it was like to be an African-American soldier fighting for a country with deep racial prejudice. I'll link to it below.

I don't think our country is perfect. Patriotism can be confusing. But I think we have one of the best governments in the world. I'm grateful for those who have fought for it. I also feel for those currently fighting for democracy in other countries like Ukraine. I hope we will support them.