Yes, I'm a patriotic person. For these people who disgrace the

“Yes, I’m a patriotic person. For these people who disgrace the American way and burn our flag and do all of these things... I say, don’t live here and disgrace my country. Go live in the Middle East and see how you like it.” So declared Payne Stewart, the famed American golfer, in words that reveal both passion and fire. His declaration is not polished diplomacy, but the raw cry of one who feels the sting of disrespect toward what he loves most—his country, its traditions, and its sacred flag. For Stewart, patriotism is not a quiet abstraction but a living devotion, and to insult the symbols of that devotion is to wound the soul itself.

The meaning of his words is clear: freedom is not license to despise the very land that grants it. To burn the flag, to mock the values of the nation, is to spit upon the sacrifices of those who gave their lives that others might live in liberty. Stewart’s anger reflects an ancient truth—that love of country demands reverence, and that contempt for one’s homeland is a betrayal of the fellowship of citizenship. His challenge is blunt: if you despise the soil on which you live, then you are free to leave it; but do not consume its blessings while scorning its heart.

The origin of this saying lies in a long tradition of American patriotism, sharpened especially during the twentieth century when flag-burning protests grew common. To many citizens, these acts were not merely dissent but desecration—an attack upon the very identity of the nation. For Stewart, who embodied traditional values, the flag represented not only government but also family, sacrifice, and shared heritage. His words echo the sentiments of countless Americans who saw such protests as ingratitude toward freedoms purchased by blood.

History offers vivid examples of this tension. During the Vietnam War, protests spread across the United States, some marked by the burning of the flag. To the protesters, it was an expression of anger at injustice and war. To veterans returning from battle, it was a knife in the back, for they had fought under that same banner, believing it sacred. Here we see the clash of perspectives: freedom allows protest, yet patriotism demands respect. Stewart’s words stand firmly on one side of that divide, declaring that reverence for the homeland must outweigh disdain.

Yet even within his sharpness lies a truth worth pondering: the flag and the American way are not mere cloth or slogans, but embodiments of sacrifice. At Iwo Jima, Marines raised the flag upon Mount Suribachi, and in that moment it became more than fabric—it became a symbol of unity, courage, and the blood of comrades fallen. To dishonor it, therefore, is to dishonor those who gave all. Stewart, like many, could not separate the two, and thus his words burn with emotion.

The lesson to future generations is this: cherish your freedoms, but also cherish the land that grants them. Criticism of a nation may be necessary—indeed, it may be patriotic when done with love and hope for its betterment—but contempt, mockery, and desecration can poison the bonds that hold a people together. True patriotism does not demand silence, but it does demand respect, for without reverence, liberty dissolves into chaos.

Practically, this means living as both a free citizen and a grateful one. Speak your conscience, yes, but honor the sacrifices that made such speech possible. Protest if you must, but do so in a spirit that seeks to heal, not to scorn. And above all, remember that your homeland is more than its politics—it is the blood of your ancestors, the soil beneath your feet, and the dreams of your children. To honor it is not servitude, but gratitude.

Thus, let Payne Stewart’s words echo as a call: if you love your freedom, respect the nation that grants it. Do not disgrace the flag that has been sanctified by sacrifice. And if your heart cannot bear to honor it, then seek another land more suited to your spirit. For the true patriot is not the one who only takes, but the one who reveres, protects, and preserves the legacy of his country with love and respect.