Patriot

Published on:

April 7, 2025

Chairman's Monday Message

Patriot — A person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies or detractors.

Recently, a certain gentleman emailed me because he felt entitled to have a complimentary table at our Reagan Day Dinner and be listed as a “top level” sponsor. He had made no direct donation for the event but referred to himself as a conservative patriot.

I am currently reading a fascinating book called “Washington’s Immortals,” which is about the Maryland Regiment during the Revolutionary War. If you want to get a very in depth read on the privations, and defeats, these men endured, read this book.

I think we have come to a point in America where we just throw titles and declarations around without really understanding their definitions, or the related actions. There were many more in America during the time of our revolution who sided with the British. They were called Tories. And today, we have many of them masquerading as Republicans, some would even call themselves conservatives. Now, of course, being a modern day conservative is truly a classical liberal if you grasp the principles and philosophy of one John Locke and Natural Rights Theory as Thomas Jefferson did.

Think about it, we have “Republicans” who are now speaking about a millionaire tax. Natural Rights Theory states that we possess unalienable rights endowed to us from the God of life, liberty, and property, according to the tenets of our Judeo-Christian faith heritage. This is something further expounded upon by French economist Frederic Bastiat in his essay, “The Law.” Here in Texas, we kinda have our version of Tories: the 36 House Republicans who joined with “detractors” aka Democrats to select a House Speaker. Kudos to Texas State Representative Brian Harrison in calling for a “vacate of the Speaker position.”

In just over a week from now we will have the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Lexington. If we want a standard by which we call ourselves “Patriots,” that is the ultimate one. For simple, ordinary, men to take the field against the greatest military power the world knew at that time, well, that is extraordinary, and the definition of a Patriot. That day is April 19th, and here in Texas, two days later, is San Jacinto Day, April 21st. That was the day, in 1836, when Texas Patriots, not Tories, charged the battlefield against a superior force, and in 18 minutes secured the independence of the Lone Star State.

I think it is time, especially in these times, when we regard ourselves as Patriots based upon the example of those who were willing to make the last full measure of devotion for something they believed. Consider, when those men took the field in Lexington, there was no Army, no Navy, no Marine Corps, no America, just a belief in individual liberty and freedom. That is the standard for a Patriot.

You know what is not?

Look, I love Southwest Airlines. I have countless Rapid Rewards miles and have gotten to know so many pilots, like my best buddy from my time at Camp Lejeune, Lt.Col (USMC, Ret) Frank Miner and many flight attendants. However, this company that I support and frequent — based in Dallas — has done something quite questionable that was shared with me by a flight attendant friend. She has been reprimanded for wearing an unapproved pin on her uniform. What was the illegal act? Well, she wore an American eagle flag pin, which you can see here, above an image of the branding of Southwest’s own souvenir merchandise.

Patriots do not determine an American eagle flag pin to be unapproved. Patriots proudly display their pride in their nation, and willingness to defend its honor. It was George Washington who stated in his November 30, 1785, letter to James Madison, ” We are either a United people, or we are not. If the former, let us in matters of general concern act as a nation, which have national objects to promote, and a national character to support — if we are not, let is no longer act a farce by pretending to it, for whilst we are playing a dble [sic] game, or playing a game between the two we never shall be consistent or respectable — but may be the dupes of come powers and, most assuredly, the contempt of all.”

Ask yourself, am I truly a Patriot, because it was Thomas Paine who asserted, “The duty of a true Patriot is to protect his country from its government.” I would add, to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, against all enemies, foreign, and domestic. Not telling people that an American eagle flag pin is “unapproved.”

Steadfast and Loyal.