If You're An American, Stand Up!
April 16, 2003

Pastor Chuck Roots has been called away from Ripon Free Methodist Church to active duty as a Navy chaplain to the U.S. Marines. Click here to see his photo album.

I am unashamedly patriotic. You may have been able to discern that from my previous articles. Patriotism should not be confused with jingoism, which, according to Webster’s Dictionary, is “extreme nationalism or chauvinism marked especially by a belligerent foreign policy.” Jingoism is agreeing with whatever the country decides, in the past most notably identified with the phrase, “My country, right or wrong.” Patriotism, on the other hand, is doing the right thing, even if it isn’t popular or appreciated at the time.

You have to marvel at the history of our country. We don’t conquer people; we liberate people. Why? Because, as Americans, we celebrate freedom. Not only our own freedom, but also the freedom of other people who have been oppressed. Most notably — Iraqis.

So, this past weekend when our seven POWs were rescued, thanks to the kind assistance from an Iraqi civilian, our Marines took action. Upon receiving a tip from this compassionate Iraqi, the Marines went on the hunt. Once at the designated site, one Marine stepped up to the door, kicked it in, and declared, “If you’re an American, stand up!” I mean you’ve got to love this. This is straight out of WWI and Sergeant York; or WWII and Sergeant Audie Murphy; or John Wayne in the role of Sergeant Striker, USMC in the movie, “The Sands of Iwo Jima.” Just kick in the door and set people free. Oorah!

In these last few weeks I have attended far too many memorial services in honor of our fallen Marines. In fact, I just returned from another one. And there are two more scheduled for later this week. Reflecting, as we have done, on these lives now lost to us, I’m reminded of the words of Benjamin Franklin where he’s quoted as saying, " I wonder how I'd find them then — those Americans to whom the name American will not be new. Will they love liberty, being given it outright in the crib for nothing? Will they know that if you are not free, you are, sir, lost without hope, and will they who reaped that harvest of ideas be willing to strive to preserve what we so willingly strove to plant? That all men are created equal! And are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights. And would they die for it? That's the question one finally has to ask oneself. Would I die for it! And the answer one has to say is — yes, sir, I would."

So why do we love freedom so much? What is there about kicking in a door and liberating an enslaved people? Why are our heroes heroic?

I believe it goes back to a time when the pilgrims who set out for America longed to be free from tyranny and oppression. This was not just for themselves, but for all who would breath the air of free men. And so we want others to enter into this same freedom. It’s intoxicating! Once tasted, you’re never the same.

I suspect in the months ahead that we will see many Iraqis coming to the United States to become citizens of the nation that set them free. Why do you suppose we have such large ethnic groups in our country? If you look back in their history, you’ll probably find some American who kicked in a door.

May the world always have an America that will kick in the door and set people free.

God bless America!