This is an editorial published in the Green Bay Press Gazette on July 2^nd:

The death of U.S. Army Pvt. Steven Drees of Peshtigo has shaken his community and reminded us of the true meaning of patriotism as we approach the Independence Day holiday.

Slightly less than half of the readers responding to our unscientific online poll said this week that Americans are less patriotic than in years past, but we suspect that if you asked, they may have differing definitions of just what it means to be patriotic.

U.S. Sen. Carl Schurz, R-Mo., the first German-born American ever elected to the Senate, is best known for his often-quoted (and often-misquoted) statement about patriotism.

During debate on the floor Feb. 29, 1872, Schurz said, "My country, right or wrong; if right, to be kept right; and if wrong, to be set right."

In a few words, he summed up the two poles of the debate over patriotism. Some believe simply "My country, right or wrong" — patriotism means defending your country's actions, for no other reason than this is the greatest nation on Earth.

Others emphasize the second part of Schurz's statement, emphasizing that it is also patriotic to speak out when you feel your country has gone astray.

But we can all agree that Drees was a patriot, a young man who placed his very life on the line for the sake of his country.

Drees died Sunday in Germany after being shot in Afghanistan last week.

Several accounts of his actions suggest that his sacrifice saved the lives of many of his fellow soldiers. His funeral is to be held Tuesday.

As long as there are American men and women willing to make that ultimate sacrifice, this nation will persevere.

This weekend we celebrate the memory of one group of patriots who signed a declaration in 1776 and made a commitment to sacrifice "our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor" for the sake of their new, independent country.

We remain to this day in the debt of those patriots — and to Pvt. Drees.

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