According to the New Webster's Dictionary, a Patriot is "A person who loves his country, and zealously defends its interests." This definition serves well as a rudimentary picture of what it represents, but I believe that there is a deeper meaning to the word. I believe that a Patriot is one who not only loves his country and defends its interests, but also will stand by it, and stand for it, even when it appears as if there is no hope for it.
Though the United States of America was not officially a nation yet in 1765, Samuel Adams, along with many others, fought for and believed in their country as hard as, if not harder than, anyone since their time. They stood by and for the nation; would you not say these men defined Patriotism? Abraham Lincoln, one of the greatest men ever to occupy the Oval Office, fought hard to save his country from being annihilated by civil war, standing for the whole nation, even when half of the nation stood against him. Therefore, the answer to the question 'Was Abraham Lincoln a true Patriot?' is very obviously affirmative. True Patriotism can be found in many, many others. Patriotism may be in one of its greatest forms in America, but it is most certainly not limited to this country. Patriotism has existed since the beginning of nations. The word "Patriot" itself is Greek in origin, stemming from the root patris, meaning "fatherland". As the word progressed through time, it picked up the meaning "fellow-countrymen", which is nearest the definition of the word today. A Patriot wants only the best (or, at least, what he believes to be the best) for his nation. He is proud to be a citizen of his country even when his country has acted shamefully. Instead of hanging his head in disgrace because his nation did something that he disapproved of, he would work to make his country a better place. He would even dare to give his life to defend his home country. Many Patriots have lived, and died, in the service of their country. Patriots put their country's needs above their own.
A Patriot loves his country, and, in short, will defend and support it at all costs. A Patriot will not allow a trivial matter to damper his love of country. Patriots are the ones who better their society and work hard to preserve and protect their nation.
