Even though the uproar of the 2009 election is over, it may still be too early to tell whether the surge of patriotism we saw will be anything more than a flash in the pan. This election was historic because of President Obama’s African American lineage, but we have yet to see if that interest will translate into anything long term.

It would be nice if that were the case, because we’ve been divided long enough. One group that would certainly benefit would be United States veterans. Many left pieces of themselves on foreign battlefields and in the case of the Viet Nam war, they sometimes came home to substandard medical care and public derision. That’s the reason I felt compelled to create some patriotic clipart that promotes the idea that we should pay tribute to veterans. Using the clip art wherever veterans will see it is a small way we can show our support of them. That appreciation could mean the world to veterans who have been disenfranchised. But we need to do more than just send annual Veterans Day greeting cards. Our appreciation for them needs to be ongoing. As fellow Americans, we owe it to them. If that support doesn’t come from us; where will it come from?

On the other hand, every American –- not just veterans -– would benefit from the U.S. having renewed interest in unity. It would be wonderful to see people saluting American flags when on parade, because they just couldn’t stop themselves from expressing their patriotism. With any luck, that genuine feeling will move us all a little closer to lasting peace. At this moment, it’s up in the air as to whether this reuniting will come to be. There are some people who are having a bad reaction to the president’s actions. But that’s just the way American politics works. Dissension can actually help keep the process balanced. We hope so anyway. The people of the U.S. will just have to see what happens.