Mr. Gant
The Virtue of Patriotism
“A real soldier does not fight because he has something that he hates in front of him. He fights because he has something that he loves behind his back”
- G. K. Chesterton
This week at Telos, we held our Veterans Day assembly. Scholars recited the preamble to the Constitution and the Gettysburg address. After practicing for several weeks, our scholars were excited to show off as they sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” and the “Armed Forces Medley” to celebrate those who have loved and served us in the Military. The best part of the day was the recognition of veterans in the Telos community. Family members and friends who served were invited to join our celebration. Many families sent in pictures of their relatives who served, and we were able to honor several generations of those who helped secure our blessed freedom. Telos scholars were especially excited to give out ornaments and letters to the veterans in the room. This small token of appreciation stacked up, quite literally, as some of the veterans in attendance walked out with their hands full of ornaments from several students!
As we think about the sacrifice and service of our veterans, we must contemplate our own attitude toward our country. G. K. Chesterton warns of two pitfalls. There is a bad pessimist that is so overcome with anger for the sins of his country that he sees no use in trying to change things for the better. Similarly, there is a bad sort of optimist that refuses to acknowledge the need for change. Both kinds of people fail to improve anything. The real patriot must have a trained eye and heart to see evil in the world for what it is and hate it. He also must love God and neighbor enough to make changes for the better. This balance is at the heart of a virtuous patriotism. It is also the only kind of patriotism that is an option for followers of Christ. We must submit to God’s standards, and acknowledge what he calls good and evil. Our ultimate allegiance is to no earthly nation or ruler because they can fail, but our faith is in the King above all kings. We also must love our neighbors and fight for the good they deserve as people made in the image of God. God does not discard the world because of the evil in it. Rather, he conquers evil and redeems the world for himself! Because our ultimate allegiance is to God, we obey his commands to love and serve those around us, and this is exactly what a virtuous patriot does in service of their country.
In the classroom, our Middle Schoolers are discussing WW1. They are learning how this war not only shaped American history but world history. We have also taken time to discuss the fortitude and faith exhibited by the many men who gave their lives in that war. Our students have enjoyed learning about Sergeant Alvin C. York, who wrestled with the Biblical teaching about murder and his duty to fight for those he loved. Ultimately, York came to understand how the Biblical command to be peacemakers can require us to fight for that peace. His faith is an example for all of us, and he shows how love and sacrifice can and should be present in military service. We are nearing the end of our WW1 discussion, and soon we will discuss the significance of November 11, 1918. This week serves as a great reminder that the past and the present are connected in tangible ways. I pray that our students take what they learn in the classroom and use it to shape this moment for the better.
“We have to feel the universe at once as an ogre’s castle, to be stormed, and yet as our own cottage, to which we can return at evening…Can [we] hate it enough to change it, and yet love it enough to think it worth changing?”
- G. K. Chesterton
