Calling All Citizens

We want to congratulate Waitsburg High School freshman Meara Baker for winning the prestigious Americanism essay contest from the American Legion Auxiliary.

Baker's essay, which broadly discusses what she feels her patriotic duties are as a U. S. citizen, was chosen by the organization from among about 10,000 entries in the western region.

It should be noted that she became the second winner in a row from the Waitsburg School District. Last year, Emma Philbrook, who was in 6th grade at the time, won the same award for her essay encouraging her readers to honor American troops overseas.

Baker's award was remarkable for the precedent it set for the school district.

Until last year, no Waitsburg student had ever won the writing contest. Now, two have won it, back to back.

It reflects well on the guidance and support students here get for their efforts from their mentors. As one auxiliary official put it, "You can't win without great teachers." That should also be said for the students' parents.

After interviewing the family last week, it is easy to see how Baker came to feel comfortable articulating her views. Her parents encourage a lifestyle of thoughtful discussion and general mindfulness as well as American pride.

But there is another important angle to the award's significance.

Baker's writing was recognized by what is arguably a fairly traditional - some might say conservative - organization for her broad interpretation of the word "patriotic."

Among the duties Baker described as patriotic, she included exercising the right to vote and being part of an informed electorate; honoring the troops; protecting the environment; strengthening communities and serving others; and contributing to the United States' ability to give hope to the rest of the world.

We support this sweeping definition of patriotism.

It recognizes a number of values that are often overshadowed by narrower definitions of the ideal, some of which border on a self-important superiority rather than a more measured "love of country" that leaves room for self-examination.

Naturally, some citizens, such as those who serve in the military, make sacrifices that deserve our due respect and attention. But it takes many selfless individuals to protect and sustain this land whose health we steward for future generations.

It should be regarded as no less patriotic to secure the longterm wellbeing of our natural environment, for instance, than to answer the call of military service.

The same is true for citizens' engagement in healthy political debate. Seeking truthful information, and questioning and discussing the merits of our government's domestic or foreign policies are as important as is respect for its authority.

It is as appropriate and constructive to weigh the pros and cons of health care legislation or environmental policy as it is, say, to discuss the reasons for going to war or the benefits of certain international trade agreements.

Here, Baker's views are in line with the legion, which has always favored representative democracy, has an open door to ethnic diversity and embraces all religious backgrounds. Many generations from different wars are among its 3 million members, and they don't necessarily agree politically.

All too often, patriotism is used by one side of a debate or another to question opponents' loyalty to the Constitution, the country or its national values. In a democracy, there should be zero tolerance for such political demonization or the country will be quickly deprived of its essential competition of ideas or, worse, its protection of civil liberties.

The other benefit of interpreting patriotism broadly is that it recognizes the importance of working together with other nations to solve common problems and meet common challenges.

In her essay, Baker says the United States should continue to offer hope to the rest of the world. It can do so by modeling its democratic ideals and providing leadership on global issues.

That modeling begins at home with the patriotic values Baker highlights in her essay - a love of country based on ideals that transcend borders and apply to all mankind.