A letter to the editor in this week's paper is very disturbing to me because it accuses several local elected officials of not being patriotic or loyal Americans because they did not attend a Memorial Day service.

Granted, there is a whole lot more going on here than who showed up where, but it has become the norm for many people to equate patriotism solely with support for the military. That bothers me, because America is so much more.

I have a button on a cork board next to my desk that reads "dissent is patriotic." Whether you are a dissenter or a conformist, that phrase should remind us that the United States was formed by rebels, protesters and dissidents who dedicated their lives to the idea of diversity in this country. That means that if we're true Americans, we recognize that patriotism comes in many, many forms, none less inspirational than the next.

Patriotism is civil rights activists who risked their lives to right unspeakable wrongs.

Patriotism is the wounded soldier as well as the mother who protests the war that cost her a son.

Patriotism is community activists who volunteer in any way.

Patriotism is a teacher who educates young minds.

Patriotism is the kindness of strangers, the voice of those who speak up and speak out, the voter on election day, the kid who runs a lemonade stand and donates the profits to a children's hospital.

One of the most patriotic things we can do is honor the patriotism of others, especially when it is not our way.