I have a very serious question to ask our readers today: Are you proud to be an American?

No hyphens, apologies, exclusions, or clarifications – just an unapologetically proud American.

When did being proud of our country or even just the word ‘American’ become offensive? At what point did we allow the PC police to dictate what we can and cannot feel pride about in ourselves?

Imagine our nation’s forefathers, who fought their way to and ultimately prevailed on July 4, 1776, looking into this country’s eyes today. It would be absolutely unrecognizable to them.

And, in my opinion, a gross disappointment.

According to a Gallop Poll released July 1, fewer Americans than ever are “proud” to be American.

As the nation prepares to celebrate Independence Day, 52% of U.S. adults say they are “extremely proud” to be Americans, a new low in Gallup’s 16-year trend. Americans’ patriotism spiked after 9/11, peaking at 70% in 2003, but has declined since, including an eight-percentage-point drop in early 2005 and a five-point drop since 2013.

One thing we can do to turn this crash course around is to share the history of this great nation with our younger generations, making no apologies of where we came from and who we truly are.

The NRA News Season 2 cast of Defending Our America, sponsored by Sig Sauer, shows how their pride in their country is being passed along in different ways throughout their families.

Crystal explains how her family’s tie to World War II sparked her son’s interest in military history. Stacy tells the group how she teaches her children how to be independent thinkers and appreciate the true cost of freedom. Matt and Del understand the key role that the Second Amendment plays in the history of our country and that we must re-instill the pride of being an American in our children.