One specific thing comes to mind. The troops. People hate on the troops for being baby killers and momma rapers, or just feeding the evil government machine. When honestly a soldier is just like every other person. They go to work, do the job they were hired to do, and go home. When put into a war, they do whatever is necessary to get back to base, and home, safely. Politics, generally, have nothing to do with when a soldier goes to war. They are ordered to do a job. Just like everyone else. Only they can go to jail for saying no of instead of just being fired.
People wonder why we are like, "Think of the troops. Brings our men and women home. Support a soldier." It's because we did the exact opposite during Vietnam. We treated our soldiers like fucking convicts. We'd beat them, spit on them, tell them they're not real men, their unpatriotic. Now we've learned that is unpatriotic and just down right cruel. Plus put in the civil rights movement of top of that with all the other crap during the 60's.
Personally, i wanted to serve. I still plan on it. When i got out of high school i wanted to be one of two things. A welder or a soldier. Well i couldn't meet enlistment standards at the time so i went to work. I made MRAP's for the military for 3 years. When the need for them was incredibly high because of IED's and roadside bombs. I was proud to do that. I worked 7 days a week, 12 hours a day for 6 months. I walked in everyday though thinking i was making a difference and, Hopefully, bringing a soldier home in one piece. I've even had a few soldiers thank me on occasion. I couldn't be any more proud to be American. Just because i was making a small difference.
Now, i love my country and am willing to fight for it on any occasion, regardless of the reasons. I may not like it, and i may not agree with it, but id do it. I may hate some of the things my government does, but i still love my country. I wont go up to any person and say,"love america or get the fuck out." But i do have a sense that i come from a certain place, and i love it regardless. Even if i don't agree with it sometimes.
Patriotism: Loving your country, but not being afraid to question it.