One type of patriotism Kennedy talks about is war patriots, or patriotism through defending our nation. He says, “Each generation of Americans has been summoned to give testimony to its national loyalty,” meaning all Americans have had wars that needed to be fought. Later, he talks about how although we need people to do other things to support soldiers we mostly need people to fight in the war. Kennedy also mentions the honor that people get from dying for their land, and talks
about how their graves lay all around the globe.
Not only does Kennedy talk about national patriotism, but he also talks about patriotism on a much more global level. He mentioned forming a global alliance of all good, and talks about how this event will be a historical one. Kennedy later talks about how joining all nations together will lead to world peace and saying that, “The glow from that fire can light the world,” the light in that excerpt is from the fire made from a combined devotion for peace.
Now Kennedy also alludes to another type of patriotism in his speech a citizen focused patriotism. He talks about it in a way that empowers citizens that are not in a position of power. Saying that this goal is up to the people, and that the lower people need to make sure that the government officials lead our country. Kennedy spoke of how it was our time to protect this nation, and that we need to stand up for all that this country has done for us.
All of these acts of patriotism made it so JFK did accomplish his goal of rallying up America. He was able to end the Cuban Missile Crisis, and finally start doing something about how Russia was acting. He was also very important in the space race. Kennedy might have been able to do all of this because of his strong word choice. His phrase, “Ask not what your country can do for you -- ask what you can do for your country.” Also talking about how history will judge their actions might have inspired the American people because of the connotation that it will make them known. Everything about president Kennedy’s speech conveys patriotism.