ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The term “patriot” refers to someone who deeply loves their country and is willing to support and defend it actively. It traces its origins to the Greek word patrios, meaning “of one’s father,” and came into English through the French word patriote, which means “fellow countryman” or “compatriot.”
The forefathers of the United States of America were a group of people who truly believed everyone was entitled to the same set of principles. The most impactful forefather of my life was my grandfather, who everyone in my family called Papa. His impact shaped who I am today because he taught me two foundational values that I still use, humor and equality.
“Everyone is entitled to their wrong opinion,” my grandfather would say with a wide grin. “Opinions are like armpits, everyone has them, most of them stink, and it is impolite to show them unwelcomed in public.”
My late grandfather often shared similar sayings, like “not the smartest with money, but rich with humor.” These might seem like lighthearted remarks, but they held a deeper truth.
One of the fundamental lessons I learned from my grandfather wasn’t just about his colorful opinions on politicians, but whether those leaders upheld the principles our nation was founded upon.
My grandfather was a proud patriot, and he became an even more proud grandpa when I told him years ago that I was joining the U.S. Air Force. His brother was drafted into the Army during a time when much of the population didn’t support the military.
I’m fortunate to serve in a time when, in public and in uniform, I’m often greeted with a “thank you for your service.” I’m glad for these gestures—not out of pride in the uniform itself, but because of the shared pride in what it represents.
Beyond the values my grandfather passed down to me, I sought to support something bigger than myself. The best explanation of what the military represents is embodied in the oath every member takes to support and defend the Constitution. The principle I resonate with most comes from its precursor, the Declaration of Independence:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
This declaration emphasizes that whether these truths are evident by divine law or natural laws, it’s not just important to recognize the underlying truths—it’s essential to respect the opinions of others.
My leadership style has been in one shape or another, that of a servant leader. I try to lead by example, to not only better myself but those around me as well. One of the greatest impacts someone can have is how they treat others. The greatest mentors in my military life have modeled how they treat others, both good and bad.
It was the philosopher Immanuel Kant who best spelled out what made those who I considered bad examples as morally unacceptable and wrong. When someone treats another person as a means to an end, they are using that individual as a tool to achieve their own goals, disregarding the person’s intrinsic worth.
In the Air Force, the spectrum of resiliency for managing oneself includes: stress management, physical fitness, mental fitness, spiritual fitness, financial services, and wellness. Joining the military has let me exercise my spiritual pillar and has continued to strengthen my spiritual foundation as the rock of my service.
At the end of every day, I chose to serve my country because serving others was the greatest seat at the table I wanted to follow. Even further than my dedication to the people of this country, is my service toward a kingdom without borders. Regardless of the specific beliefs of those appointed in the chairs throughout the military, the values they are expected to enforce do not come from an ivory house on the East Coast, but an eternal house not built with hands.
My grandpa gave me the greatest lesson on Earth that I did not truly comprehend until after he left it. He set the highest example of the purest form of love a father can give his child.
He always instilled in me a sense of self-worth by always being proud of me. He said it, but I did not need to hear it. He behaved like it, even if I acted in an undeserving manner. He thought it and I heard it without any words entering my ears. He always called me his “favorite grandson,” mind you I am his only grandson, but at his twilight's last gleaming the truth still stood there.
This is why the greatest thing I can support is the thing that many try, but no one can take away these universal truths. So regardless of someone’s political or religious views, or their level of support for the country, I am proud to support and defend the constitutional rights that allow everyone to be treated on the same level, just like Papa taught me.