What's wrong with being patriotic?

I don't remember celebrating June 6 growing up. I remember people talking about D-Day, and reminiscing about the allied invasion of western Europe on that date in 1944, but celebrating is not quite the right word for June 6 in history. One of my Russian friends loved to tell me about Russian military's prowess fighting the Germans. I've visited Russia ten times, and from the first visit the strongest impression I received was of Russian battles, wars, and victories. As we discussed America's alliance with Russia to fight the Germans, I pointed out the big turning point of June 6 and the invasion of western Europe. My friend dismissed D-Day as nothing comparable with Russia's conquests over Germany on the eastern front. My father was a Naval Aviator fighting the Japanese in the Pacific. I was much more familiar with those battles than the fighting in Europe. The Big War, i.e. WWII, always superseded other wars or "conflicts" in conversations when I was growing up. It seemed like someone was always fighting someone else somewhere in the world. Wars and rumors of wars will continue to the end. I remember people being divided over the Vietnam conflict as it was called, though I really didn't know enough about it to know who we were fighting or why. Ignorance truly is bliss. As an adult with two sons, I have paid a lot more attention to wars and politics in my later years. History teaches us that man is predisposed to fight, if not those outside our borders, then those within. Why? Power. I vividly remember the Civil Rights battles of the 1960s. The problem with battles and wars is that one side has to win. All the other sides have to lose at least by degrees. That's Marxism in a nutshell. Enemies of America, both foreign and domestic are dividing us to conquer us. On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress recognized the Stars and Stripes as the national flag of the United States of America. How could anyone refuse to celebrate our national flag? And yet, some among us not only refuse to celebrate, but choose to fight! Why? June 14 is President Trump's birthday. June 14 is also my sister's birthday and my cousin's birthday. A lot of people have birthdays every day! Let's not begrudge how people choose to celebrate their birthdays. We have become a nation that loves to fight "them." We have become the Hatfields and the McCoys! Stop it! June 14 is the date the Continental Congress established the Continental Army in 1775. For what it's worth, in 1964, Congress recognized a product legally defined as a "distinctive product of the United States." Yes, National Bourbon Day celebrates American whiskey produced by a mash of at least 51 percent corn, aged in new charred oak containers, and distilled primarily in Kentucky. There are at least 13 other national holidays celebrated on June 14. Thousands of American men and women of all races have died protecting our nation and the flag. It's not about bitter old fools fighting. It's about recognizing all of us as one nation under God. Let's act that way for the good and the future of our nation. What's wrong with being patriotic particularly in the 250th year of our birth.