Reformátusok Lapja, 1972 (72. évfolyam, 1-7. szám)
1972-06-01 / 6-7. szám
8 REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA How to be a Patriot Happen to be the parent of a growing child? Does he appear confused about his country, the rights of citizenship, his future? Let him read these thoughts. It may help you both. A patriot is a person who loves his country, supports his country, and defends his country. Patriots are great to have around when the going gets rough. So let’s all go out and find some patriots. Unfortunately, it’s not that easy. You can’t take a pill and become a patriot. You can’t stamp patriots out of an assembly line, like tanks, or planes or guns. You can’t legislate patriotism, it turns the kids off. You also can’t expect our school, or our churches, or the government itself to mold our patriots. At least it isn’t working out that way. Patriotism, it seems to us, is something that needs to be passed along from one generation to the next. In the home. By the folks who are in the best position to do the job. The Mothers, and the Fathers, and the next of kin. Unfortunately, this isn’t what’s been happening. Those of us who fall into this category have relegated the job of growing our patriots to people who aren’t getting the job done. And time is running out. So maybe the time has come, to put some patriotism into our parenthood. First, find a young American someone about 8 or 10, your son, or grandson, or the boy next door will do. Next, clear up any misconceptions he might have about demanding his freedom without working for it. Make sure he learns why it was that Great Grandpa came over here in the first place. What he had to do to survive once he cleared Ellis Island. And how he felt about America the day his paper came through. Let him know how you feel when the flag goes by. Why you didn’t skip town when the chips were down, in 42, 51 or 63. And why you wouldn’t now, even though you might not always agree with your Uncle Sam. Let him be aware of how we’ve had to earn our freedom over and over again. And, while we might not relish the task, why we will likely have to do the job more than once again in the years ahead. You might suggest to him the things you believe made America great. Things like pride and ambition, the willingness to work hard and run compete. Encourage him not to be afraid to compete. To be resourceful and inventive. And to turn in an honest day’s work for a fair day’s pay. And then remind him why we can’t let mobs or men with dishonest intentions run our country, and why his special talents will be needed more than ever before. If we are to win the peace that follows the war, and keep America number one. Why do these things? Well, the Ben Franklins and the Tom Paines, and the Nathan Hales frankly don’t always come along exactly when we seem to need them the most. Sometimes patriots are in short supply. So maybe we ought to help show our young people the way. The way to get fired up about the country we live in. The United States of America. And if we do the showing, who knows? Maybe someday, somewhere in this world, when your young man is asked where he comes from, or what he stands for, he won’t fumble for an answer, or hang his head in shame. He’ll stand firm, hold his head high and say, “I’m an American.” “From the land of the free, and the home of the brave.” (From Industry Week) NEWS New Family Magazine To Serve UCC A new magazine — designed to serve lay persons — will appear in September 1972. The monthly publication (co-published by United Church Herald and Presbyterian Life) will include material for families, for Bible study groups and for lay organizations. Present subscribers to the Herald will automatically receive A.D. — United Church Herald edition. The new journal will cover topics ranging through personal problems, Christian service and vocation, and social issues — particularly as these affect individual Christians. It will appear in a popular style with a strong emphasis on constructive things which individuals and local churches are doing. The United Church Herald edition will contain pages designed to meet the program and promotional needs of the United Church of Christ. Half the pages of the total magazine will be devoted to this purpose. A.D. will also address itself “to the hurt and hunger of the world, to the needs of persons who face the crises of life, to creative attempts to make social structures more ethical and wholesome, and to the nature of the mission of the chuch throughout the world.” The UCC pages will continue the Herald’s popular features, including the “Accent on the Local Church,” “Leaders’ Digest” and the form for divergent viewpoints. Subscriptions to the enlarged magazine are being sold at no increase in cost. Charter subscriptions ($4.00 each for individuals, $2.00 per family when the congregation enrolls in the Parish Plan) should be sent to A.D. — United Church Herald Edition P. O. Box 7095 St. Louis, Mo. 63177.
