Edward Robert Kish
2003 Grand Prize Winner
Scottish Rite Paul R. Kach, 33°
DeMolay Prize Americanism Essay Competition Winner
11th Grand and Above Category, Friendship–Bray Chapter
5500 Jillian Way, Pipersville, Pennsylvania 18947–1189

Service during times of peace is just as honorable and necessary
as service during times of war.

Talk of patriotism often evokes images of wars and brave soldiers defending their country. This heroism of war is indeed a powerful expression of love for one’s country. What is not often thought of is the service to the community rendered by thousands of ordinary citizens each day. A patriotism of peace takes the form of volunteering for a cause instead of, as in war, risking and perhaps sacrificing one’s life. Despite the fact that it is less lauded, service during times of peace is just as honorable and necessary.

In DeMolay ritual, the Seventh Preceptor uses good citizenship as an example of patriotism of peace. Indeed, the “perpetual battlefield, where good citizenship wages war with bad,” provides ample opportunities for contributing to the welfare of one’s community and one’s nation. But what constitutes good citizenship? Service to one’s community is a clear example. This service may take many forms. Volunteering at a local hospital, library, or charitable organization is a good way of bettering a community. Unlike those who display heroism in times of war and crisis, the patriot who works for the advancement of the community is seldom exalted. The real reward of such work is the benefit that everyone in the community reaps.

In times of crisis, we have a history of contributions from the home front. During the World War II, for example, civilians grew vegetables in “Victory Gardens” and donated scrap metals in order to allow more food and supplies to be shipped abroad. This sense of civic responsibility is also reflected, during war or peace, by voting and by taking an active role in government. Having one’s voice heard in our democracy is a way to make changes and is the basis of our freedoms. Becoming informed about the issues and voting are basic duties for all citizens. A patriot does not take for granted the fundamental rights our forefathers fought so valiantly to win. He may not always agree with official government policy, but a patriot always retains great pride in his country. Instead of complaining about a policy, he takes his complaints to the ballot box.

Personally, I try to exhibit patriotism. With the rest of my DeMolay Brothers, I volunteer for community service projects because it is important to give back to the community and make our country better. Very soon, I will be a voting member of adult society and a participant in the great democratic experiment upon which this country was founded. I will educate myself on the candidates and the issues so that I may make an informed choice. All of this is a facet of the patriotism of peace that every American should feel.

When one thinks of patriotism, images of the great heroes from wars past come to mind. Stirring tales of bravery and sacrifice have molded the common image of patriotic heroism during war. But what really makes a hero? A hero is willing to endure great personal sacrifices for a higher cause than himself. Sometimes, this may mean the ultimate sacrifice, giving up one’s own life to save another’s. The actions of Gary Gordon and Randy Shugart, for instance, are well known. During a military action in Somalia, they saved the life of a downed heli-copter pilot by holding off hostile forces and radioing for help. The actions of these two men earned them Congressional Medals of Honor. That they sacrificed their lives for the benefit of others is truly an example of the heroism of war. Such examples show that the average person is capable of spectacular bravery. It gives me a deep respect for those who risk their lives in defense of our country. Such heroes are especially vital today when our young men and women are going overseas to fight terrorism.

The community involvement that defines a patriotism of peace, though less dramatic, is just as vital as a patriotism of war. The peacetime patriot donates the precious gifts of his time and energy in order to better the country as a whole. He is also an informed voter and is not apathetic about his role in a democracy. Both types of patriotism, in war as well as in peace, are important and laudable. My hope is to exhibit each facet of patriotism as I grow, with the help of DeMolay, into adulthood.

Edward R. Kish is now a ROTC Cadet and chemical engineering student at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, and is driven to excel in all he does. Many honors have been bestowed on him in recognition of his dedication to academics and service, most notably the DeMolay Degree of Chevalier and the Chapel of Four Chaplains Junior Legion of Honor Award. Ed has served his DeMolay Chapter well both as Pennsylvania State Champion Orator “Flower Talk” and as the youngest Master Councilor in the history of Friendship–Bray Chapter. His late maternal grandfather, Ill. Robert F. Sharp, 33°, would have been proud.