The American Crisis is a collection of articles and essays written by Thomas Paine during the American Revolutionary War. Those essays provided ongoing support for an independent and self-governing America through the many severe crises of that war.

I’m a military brat and an Army officer’s wife. I grew up on posts where Reveille, Retreat, and Taps played.

I vividly remember hearing Retreat sounded at the end of the day when we lived on post. If I were outside, I would get out of my car and place my hand over my heart with pride. Hearing Taps played at military funerals brings the same feelings. So does singing the national anthem.

The lack of patriotism today feels like a Thomas Paine crisis to me and makes me sad.

The World Cup coverage highlighted so many of the positive things now taken for granted. Reels and reels on social media were posted by over 1.5 million people who came to our country en masse and experienced the U.S. for the first time. They experienced our countryside, food, citizens, and freedoms up close and were amazed.

The visitors’ comments on social media were a poignant reminder of what we have that others don’t and what we take for granted.

“You have so much to see, do, and eat.”

“There are free refills here…and air conditioning!”

They were shocked to discover the United States is so different from how it’s depicted on social media.

“OMG, you’re actually nice, generous people, …”

Our international World Cup visitors held up a looking glass, showing us everything we take for granted.

Maybe it’s time to sit back and think about what our visitors saw and felt—to internalize the freedoms we earned in the Revolutionary War and be proud of our country.

Personally, watching the reaction of our visitors, I’ve regained a new appreciation for my life and all my creature comforts. Shouldn’t we all do the same?

Please, this isn’t about politics or the games themselves, so any of those comments will be removed.