It used to be easy to be patriotic. Now in this irony-laced age with its pervading sense of fatalism, apathy and cynicism, "love of country" seems passé or old-fashioned.  While patriotism today is often solely equated with a love of guns and the freedom to bear arms, it should be more than that.  It should be about pride in the values that this country claimed to be founded on, not prejudicial nationalism and the closing of our borders and isolationism.  We must be able to live among a mix of cultures, races and religions if our country is to survive as a great nation.  Respect and love and the ability to listen to different viewpoints is an important goal for all of us citizens to aspire to.  I hope these photos from my collection give a brief, optimistic pause during this patriotic holiday and show a positive and somewhat humorous side to patriotism. 
- Robert E. Jackson