I love American history—the grand experiment of America—glorious and tarnished as it might be. People from across the globe are still willing to sacrifice life and limb to come here. True, we’ve got a ways to go to make a more perfect union. Google, What’s wrong in America? and you’ll see our laundry list of problems. I’m all in for tackling these challenges, but I pray we can do it with a common commitment to our shared fortune.

I find it interesting that people keep coming here—day after day—and not many are leaving. Having been lucky enough to be born here, I want to earn my inheritance, not discard it. I believe our history, which should never be erased or whitewashed, is our key to a prosperous future. Why, then, have we stopped teaching it to our kids?

I wonder…what would John Adams think of America if he lived here today?

I have a college professor to thank for my patriotism. (It also helped that I was born on the Fourth of July.) My professor shared a unique gift with his students, a personal storytelling style that made our nation’s past come alive. No surprise…when I started writing novels, I chose historical fiction as my genre.

But not until I read David McCullough’s book, “John Adams,” did I understand the miracle of our founding. John, more than his famous cousin Samuel, fueled the increasing cries for separation from Great Britain. Through intense debate, each delegate to the Continental Congress had to weigh how the struggle for independence would impact his own life. Here’s a sample of what Mr. Adams had to say on the matter:

“If it be the pleasure of Heaven that my country shall require the poor offering of my life, the victim shall be ready, at the appointed hour of sacrifice, come when that hour may. But while I do live, let me have a country, and that a free country!”

Goosebumps for me. (I know. I’m a hopeless flag-waver.)

Research indicates that those of us willing to march behind John Adams may be a dying breed. A new poll conducted by Echelon Insights shows 72 percent of American voters would be unwilling to serve in the military if the United States faced a major conflict. *

Spoiler alert. I never served during the Vietnam War. After graduating high school in 1969, I opted instead to earn a college degree. A business career followed soon thereafter.

In fairness, the 72 percent number may not be hard and fast. The CEO of Military Recruiting Experts told Newsweek that U.S. citizens “need to be convinced to get into [a] war.” To this CEO’s point, a whole swath of Americans remained loyal to England, choosing not to take up arms. It wasn’t until Adams convinced enough of their brethren to separate that the revolution was sparked, and a new nation was spawned.

Fast forward to Pearl Harbor and World War II, and the Post-9/11 Afghanistan conflict. The reasons to engage were clear and our people responded. But Vietnam was another story, leading to widespread protests.

Here’s more fodder for thought. A recent Daily Mail poll showed 64 percent of likely voters were willing to die defending the U.S. in the event of an invasion. But wait…30 percent (ages 18-29) would rather surrender than die in a fight for our freedom. Yikes!

None of us want war, let alone to send our most precious commodity into harm’s way. And not all wars are created equal. But I’m afraid they are a fact of life, as history shows us.

Mr. Adams put his life and national treasure on the line for the worthy endeavor that was the Revolutionary War. As did each of our Founding Fathers who signed the Declaration penned by Thomas Jefferson so many years ago.

What about us? When it comes down to it, what are we willing to sacrifice for a just cause?

God bless America. In the end, I have faith in the unwavering love of her people.

*Conducted Oct. 23-26, following the brutal Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel on Oct. 7th.