Preserving patriotism

My column for the Daily News in online.  It’s called, “Preserving patriotism.”  Here’s a bit:

America has a rich history and many institutions of which we can all be proud. Yes, there are terrible atrocities and blunders in our past, but there are also triumphs unequaled in the annals of mankind. There is a reason that the 20th century saw the spread of American ideals — many of which are enshrined in the very Declaration of Independence that we celebrated on Sunday — throughout much of the world. Liberty, the rule of law, and the subjugation of government to the citizens are the sole path to human progress.

   America is truly exceptional and Americans should have no qualms about celebrating their love of country. But, as Reagan pointed out, we can’t celebrate that which we don’t know. We should reinvigorate our teaching of American history and civics. An informed citizenry is patriotic and free. An ignorant one is teetering on losing the precious gift that our forefathers bestowed upon us: the great United States of America.