Happy 4th of July! Here Are the Top 5 Acts Of Patriotism From This Past Year

4th of July

As America celebrates our 239th Independence Day, we thought it’d be a great time to review some of the more patriotic things we’ve covered since last 4th of July.

There won’t be anything on this list nearly as monumental as what our Founding Fathers did for our nation — like declaring the American colonies as free and independent states from British rule — but there is certainly plenty of American pride and exceptionalism to celebrate nonetheless. We’re focusing on some of the smaller everyday acts of patriotism that, if amplified or made more frequent by other Americans, would help our great nation get through difficult times.

So without further ado, here are our Top 5 Patriotic Moments so far in 2016 …

High School Students Rally to Reinstate American Pride Day

Students at a Wyoming high school were not happy after their principal and assistant principal cancelled “American Pride Day.” School officials were worried that such an event would make immigrant students “feel left out.”

While the event was changed to “College Day” as part of the homecoming festivities, a large group of senior and juniors protested with American flag capes, American flag headbands, flag shorts, and other flag-related items to show how much they love America!

One student even drove a diesel truck around the parking lot, which was covered in waving American flags.

George W. Bush Honors Vets on Memorial Day

Former president George W. Bush took the time to honor veterans on Memorial Day. While many Americans take enjoy Memorial Day as a day off from work, a day to grill burgers and hot dogs, and a day to throw back a few beers, Bush posted an image on Instagram that reminded us all what the day is truly about.

Can you imagine our current president even thinking about honoring veterans in such a manner when he is retired and out of office? We’ll wager right now that any pictures the narcissist-in-chief posts on Memorial Day will be pictures of himself.

Justice Clarence Thomas Speech on God and Country

Justice Clarence Thomas delivered a commencement speech to the graduates of Hillsdale College, advising them to “not hide your faith and your beliefs” in God and country.

“Do not hide your faith and your beliefs under a bushel basket,” he demanded. “Especially in this world that seems to have gone mad with political correctness.”

Thomas, leading by example, admitted to being “unapologetically Catholic, unapologetically patriotic and unapologetically a Constitutionalist.”

Gary Sinise Delivers Another Smart Home to an American Hero In Need

Any list about patriotism in America has to include actor Gary Sinise. One of the few conservatives in Hollywood, Sinise has parlayed his role as a wounded warrior in the film “Forrest Gump” by dedicating much of his life and work to improving situations for our returning veterans.

The Gary Sinise Foundation has raised millions of dollars to build smart houses that allow injured veterans to do everyday things you and I take for granted. He has done so much to help veterans live productive and happy civilian lives.

Here he is delivering yet another smart home to a veteran’s family in need …

Teenager Rescues American Flag in Distress

Cole Dotson, an 18-year-old senior at Continental High School in Continental, Ohio, saw an American flag coming dangerously close to the ground and did something most adults, let alone teenagers, wouldn’t do.

He stopped his car, got out, held the flag up away from the ground, and waited for help.

Dotson learned proper flag code and protocol in the Boy Scouts, and knew it should never hit the ground. After getting the flag up and away from the ground, he called his grandmother for help.

One person saw his flag-rescuing act and said, “Thank you Cole, for having respect for the flag and what it stands for.”

It should come as no surprise that this young man has already chosen a patriotic career path – He met later that week with Marine Corps representatives to discuss plans to join.

Comment: What other acts of patriotism do you remember from this past year? Share them with us below.

Rusty Weiss has been covering politics for over 15 years. His writings have appeared in the Daily Caller, Fox... More about Rusty Weiss

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