This e-mail was inspired by last night’s ensign:

Kathryn: I think the vast majority of Americans are somewhat chauvinistic about America (and why not?), but not overly so. My Dad was an Army infantryman — critically wounded in Brittany in August 1944 — and he loved his country. But, he never said much about it, and he never went to VFW or American Legion halls. But still, he once told me that he teared up when he saw the flag at our town’s July 4th parade. In other words, quiet pride. My son is also an Army infantryman (he has been in Korea and Iraq, and is now in Afghanistan), and is also quiet about his love of country. What made me write was the newly commissioned Ensign, who went to Europe for vacation. After my son got back from Iraq (and being on the streets of Baghdad almost every day for 14 months during the surge) he and some friends traveled around Europe for 6 weeks. When he got back he heard someone criticize the U.S., and say they’d like to move to Europe. My son simply said : “No. You have no idea. America is the greatest place on earth.” This from a 22 year old.