But our country has focused on false ideas about what patriotism is, we need to focus more on people's action and whether that reflects or not the ideals of a good American. By volunteering and helping your fellow Americans, or even doing something as small as thanking a veteran for their service, it proves how patriotic a person is far beyond reading the oath of service. 'allegiance. Symbols like the flag and rituals like the pledge are good ways for people to show their loyalty, but they are not the only way. Forcing students to say their pledge every morning goes against what the words of the pledge represent and does not help prove who is patriotic and who is not. As a citizen of this great country, even if you do not participate or believe in the pledge, you should be allowed to sit back or skip words, but you must still show respect to those to whom it means a lot. As the proud country that we are, we should applaud those who have decided to be different from others, while showing respect to the country and the ideals of others in the process. The pledge declares “liberty and justice for all,” that being said, we should not ostracize those who choose not to recite the pledge but show their patriotism in other ways. The commitment has been changed in the wrong direction, moving away from what it was originally intended to do, is this now right