WHAT IS AMERICA? IT’S YOUR JOB TO KNOW & Tell

During World War II a realization was made by military leaders: our soldiers don’t know why they are fighting. Philosopher and author Russell Kirk, based in Michigan, was commissioned to write a book: The American Cause. 

I believe its origin reminds us of our own responsibility in this hour if we are going to keep the American dream alive and its paradigm for freedom. 

BACKGROUND 

Russell Kirk is a founding member of the traditional conservative movement. He was dreaming up another book when he was commissioned to write the American Cause by friend Henry Regenery in 1956. 

The world was at the precipice of the Cold War, and communist indoctrination was a very real thing. When soldiers were captured in the Korean War, Chinese Indoctrination champions discovered that America’s prisoners of war were easy targets for the indoctrination of communism and it was celebrated how “little” Amerians knew about their own political and governmental history. These ill-intentioned schemers knew the American soldiers in their care would be easy conquests for advancing the agenda of an anti-freedom regime. 

A veteran of World War II, Mr. Kirk was very concerned by the findings of the report and accepted the task to write a book that would depict in simple terms the moral, economic, social, and political foundation of America. Not only soldiers - but citizens - needed to better understand the American cause and what made us so great.  

In it he eloquently and simply tells the profound story of why we are a nation worthy of defending. The book was - and still is - an immense success. (I dare not imagine where we would be in today’s world without it; many of you have probably never heard of it – yet its success speaks of great reach and our nation is still hurting for the lack of understanding of what makes us great.)

The question must be considered: If in 1956 they faced the reality that a gaping hole in understanding could greatly derail a nation, if advancements were not made, what is our reality and responsibility now? And if there is a huge absence of true understanding on what makes America unique, who are the ones to convey the knowledge to the next generation?
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OUR OWN story

As you and I look back on our upbringing, we must ask ourselves who formed our world view of this nation? How did you come to see America how you do? If you had to describe it in 5-10 words, what would you say? What emotions are evoked when you compare America to the rest of the nation?

Regardless of whether it was positive or negative: someone played the part of molding our perceptions and beliefs. There was a person (or persons) in our life that helped create the narrative of what we believe about America. Perhaps it was a teacher, a grandparent, a neighbor, or an older sibling. Someone (or many someones) have contributed to how you and I see our nation, what we understand about it, and why we consider it worthy (or don’t consider it worthy) of protecting. 

For me, it was in my upbringing that I was taught freedom is a gift, men and women serve in the military to protect me and protect my nation, we each have an individual responsibility to preserve this strange species of freedom, and that here in America the liberties we possess are unique and not a guarantee around the world. Both of my grandfathers were in World War II, a great great grandfather in the Civil War, and my dad was in Vietnam. My grandpa got teary when he would see the flag. My parents taught me respect for the beacon of freedom as we memorized poems on America, paid attention to national and international conflicts, and regularly discussed – why who we are as a nation is the standard of excellence for the world. 

The question now rests at our feet: Who is forming our children and grandchildren’s love of (or hate) this nation? And is it an opinion that will preserve our nation? Or is it one that will destroy it? 
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THE FUTURE OF A NATION

It is easy to sit on the sidelines and criticize everything that is wrong. It becomes personal when we look in the mirror and recognize, as a nation of the people, by the people, for the people, the responsibility is not on someone else’s shoulders to preserve freedom and carry on the legacy of America. It's my responsibility. And it’s your responsibility.

We recognize a huge need as more and more systems are rallying people to hate America. But what will we do about it? What will we teach our children and nieces and nephews? How will we articulate the gift of being an American, how will we demonstrate that it takes sacrifice to defend it and personal service to preserve it? 

• Who is explaining the meaning of the red, white and blue? 
• Why do we have Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day? 
• How is what we have here so different from Venezuela and China?
• What is the story of the star spangled banner?
• Why did men and women pay great prices to keep our country free?
• What is freedom? What is tyranny? How do we recognize it?  
• Why was it important to the founders of America to create this land of liberty? 
• Where else can we go if America falls? 
• Why and how has it sustained it’s freedom paradigm for so long?

We need to stop assuming others will pass on our love of the United States to the next generation. If you want your children and grandchildren, and the little people among you to grow to love and defend this great land: it’s on you to help them understand it. It’s time to get creative.

SUGGESTIONS FOR SIMPLE CHANGEs

Incorporating the story and beauty of America - with all its woes and triumphs - is easier than we realize. We can each make simple changes to our life to start to highlight its worth to our family:

• Drive through a cemetery and point out the flags and wreaths honoring veterans 
• Read through the mottos of State Constitutions over dinner and point out how God is intertwined in the mission statements for states 
• Find a documentary (i.e. from Wallbuilders or PragerU) and make a fun family night
• Create a fun trivia game of USA facts 
• Find photos, and read stories of family members who have served and lived the American dream
• Invite a veteran to talk to your family
• Visit historical sites  
• Do service projects for local Veteran facilities or their families
• Read the American Cause together as a family and discuss it

I am so grateful for the work of Russell Kirk. He has laid us a great foundation for truth in American Cause and in many other resources. He said the following.

“[A] people needs to understand what freedom is. We Americans are fortunate that the Founders and their generation possessed that understanding. They knew that freedom, per se, is not enough. They knew that freedom must be limited to be preserved. …It is to America's everlasting credit that our Founders got freedom right.”

― Russell Kirk, American Cause

Whether the next generation will love and rally for the United States of America is up to you and me. It is a cause we cannot let die on our watch. It is a cause worth investing in. 
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- Amy Hawkins (Jackson Michigan) has been professionally speaking for over 20 years. Her experience and expertise is in statewide politics, cause and movement building, and inspiring action for civic engagement. 

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