Does patriotism still matter?

GREEN BAY - Not one, but two flags of the United States sit atop flagpoles outside Fly-Me Flag Inc.

Those weren’t the only American flags flying at the small retail shop at 1720 S. Ashland Ave. in the past week. Flags — and banners and windsocks — of all different sizes have been flying off the store shelves.

“We’ve seen a steady increase,” Fly-Me Flag owner George Rapp said.

The uptick in flag sales, which Rapp says projects to give the store its most lucrative year since he and wife Terry took over operations in 2011, does more than just put a smile on his face as a businessman. He also considers the demand for flags as well as a recent stream of orders for flagpole installations a good sign that American patriotism isn’t flying at half-staff — despite opinions to the contrary.

“There’s just a lot of patriotic people out there,” said Rapp, citing the upcoming presidential election and elevated fears brought on by acts of terrorism against the country as factors that are galvanizing Americans and their national pride.

As the U.S. turns 240 years old Monday, Rapp and others in the community have mixed viewpoints on the state of patriotism and whether the red, white and blue typically displayed or worn by many as they celebrate Independence Day is relevant for Americans.

'Patriots' in decline

John Brebner knows all about defending what the American flag stands for: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, which is at the heart of the Declaration of the Independence.

Brebner, a 92-year-old Green Bay resident, and his younger brother, Robert, served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II.

Though John Brebner stayed stateside after enlisting in 1942, the first lieutenant was a flight instructor who mentored numerous Americans who flew missions as the war escalated overseas.

Brebner stayed in contact with many of those in his unit long after the war ended in 1945.

“These people were patriots — all of ’em,” Brebner said. “These guys, almost to a man, were enlisted, and they enlisted because they wanted to go and fight for the country.”

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Brebner doesn’t see nearly the same level of commitment and motivation to defend the flag in today's younger generations.

“In the old days, we had a bunch of people who would fight for the country,” he said. “And, if you wanted to fight for the country today, you would have a hard time finding anybody that would want to or would agree to go. It’s almost like you’ve got to pay ’em.

“That’s how far down the whole thing has gone, and that troubles me because a certain level of patriotism is necessary for the success of the nation. You have to have a feeling of patriotism for the country.”

What perhaps troubles Brebner most is a perceived apathy among citizens about the welfare of the country. Brebner says those are the people who say, “I don’t like the way it’s going, so I’m just not going to take part anymore.”

With fewer and fewer World War II veterans still alive to serve as examples for championing the American spirit, Brebner worries about what the future holds.

“These guys (in the war) were absolutely patriotic, just true blood,” Brebner said. “It’s like a lot of that has disappeared. It’s just people that are voting their pocketbook and their political convictions, (and) any interest in the country is coming up last.”

‘More than just a barbecue’

The New York Times reported on the Fourth of July in 2014 that younger Americans are less patriotic.

The newspaper worked off data from the American National Election Study, which interviews 2,000 randomly selected Americans every four years.

That 2014 survey, the most recent available, revealed stark differences among generations regarding patriotism.

More than 80 percent of those ages 69 to 86, referred to as the Silent Generation, were said to love America. Conversely, only 58 percent of those ages 18 to 33, known as millennials, shared the sentiment.

Also, the report noted 94 percent of the Silent Generation said seeing the U.S. flag flying made them feel extremely or very good, compared to only 67 percent of millennials.

Courtney Pelot, a millennial and the newly crowned Miss Wisconsin, feels her generation cares a great deal about their homeland. She said that was evident in April.

“I voted in the primary (election) in Madison, and I saw more (younger) people turn out than ever before,” said Pelot, 22, a Manitowoc resident who graduated from University of Wisconsin-Madison this spring.

“So, I’m very excited to see everyone really come forward in the fall as well,” she added, referring to the presidential election in November.

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Pelot expects plenty of patriotic fervor when she competes in the Miss America pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The televised finals are Sept. 11, which will be the 15-year anniversary of the deadly terrorist attacks on the East Coast.

“We’ll be doing a few things over (that) weekend to really honor our country,” Pelot said. “I’m very excited for that.”

One of her first appearances as Miss Wisconsin will be in the Fourth of July parade in Columbus, near Madison, on Monday.

“I think we all have to step back and really think about what the Fourth of July means,” Pelot said. “It’s more than just a barbecue.”

Renewed patriotism

After putting on about 1,000 miles in his Fly-Me Flag truck to install more than a half-dozen flagpoles across the state in the last week, Rapp feels patriotism is high among Americans.

Perhaps the highest since 2001, when Rapp said flags and other Old Glory merchandise were gobbled up as the country healed from the terror attacks and moved forward with renewed solidarity.

“I think (the recent terror attacks) is one of the things that’s driving people to be more patriotic, to think more about our borders and to think more about the current presidency and the incoming one,” Rapp said. “A lot of military flags going out also, for all of the branches.”

Business interests aside, Rapp welcomes the increased visibility of the American flag.

“Independence Day, I think, has come to mean something different than it was originally meant to be, but I think that whole philosophy that that’s our Constitution, we stand by it, we live here (endures),” he said.

tmcmaho2@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @ToddMcMahon23

Festival Foods’ Fire Over the Fox

When: Monday

Where: Downtown Green Bay

Information: The city’s Fourth of July festival starts at 1 p.m. with the ringing of the replica Liberty Bell and a Veterans Salute on the Brown County Courthouse lawn on Walnut Street.

Live music and entertainment on seven stages will be held throughout the afternoon and until the late evening in Leicht Memorial Park and along both sides of the Fox River.

The event also features a children’s entertainment area at the WFRV-TV Family Stage on the CityDeck, the Waterboard Warriors water-ski show at 3 p.m. on the river between Main and Walnut streets and the “Life and Death at Fort Howard” exhibit at Neville Public Museum of Brown County, which will be open until 6 p.m.

The Festival Foods Fireworks show will start at 9:45 p.m. near Leicht Park. Preferred seating tickets are available for $10 at local Festival Foods stores, Bosse’s News Stand & Smoke Shop at 220 Cherry St. and by calling TicketStar at (800) 895-0071. 

Personal fireworks, large carry-ins or coolers, pets and drones are prohibited on event premises.

Ben’s Wish will collect nonperishable food items on the east and west sides of the Ray Nitschke Memorial Bridge throughout the festival.

More information can be found online at fireoverthefox.com.