Are you a proud American? How will you show it, and how will other people know it? Yes, you can take comfort in the fact that when you buy American at the store that you read the label and it said "Made in USA."

But chances are that few people if anyone saw you make that American-made purchase the other day. And unless you constantly invite others to see the proof behind your purchases, how will people know that buying American is at the center of your beliefs in defining what it means to be a proud American?

Introducing "Proud American" shirts from www.PattonShirts.com. These shirts are bound to make your friends and co-workers ponder for themselves what it means to be a proud American, which surely isn't a bad thing. And if they ask you about your shirt and what makes you a proud American, I'm sure you'll be ready to give the answer.

We all need to reflect from time to time what it is that makes us take pride in our country. Since we just recognized the 5th Anniversary of 9-11, many Americans were reminded of the nationalistic pride they felt deep inside for their country that emerged from the ashes of that horrible tragedy.

After 9-11, American flags were everywhere. America was united and proud. But Americans wanted to do something more concrete to display their patriotism than just putting a flag or sticker on their car. Many sought to buy American as a way of displaying their patriotism - and a way to prove how proud they were to be an American.

After Ed Patton, owner of PattonShirts.com, told me about his new "Proud American" shirts, I knew I would want to spread the word since I've bought shirts from him in the past. But of course I had to order my own "Proud American" shirt first, and now that I have, I'm definitely going to order more.

Like all Patton Shirts available at www.PattonShirts.com, the new Proud American shirts are made from 100% American cotton. And you can choose yours from one of four colors - red, white, blue and black - for only $26.95.

If you'd like to choose from the classic Patton Shirts collection that has been helping to employ American workers in the apparel industry for many years now, you can take advantage of a special price of only $19.95. I've really stocked up on these classic Patton Shirts while supplies last, and they're available in more colors than the Proud American polo shirts.

Many of us learned on 9-11 that patriotism and national pride are inside of all of us. Sometimes it just takes an event or an experience to bring it to the surface. And when that undeniable presence of pride is there, we all act in different ways to make a difference and make our country better.

For me, it was writing books on buying American. For Ed Patton, it was providing jobs and employing Americans to help maintain a domestic presence in the apparel industry.

Whatever it is that you do to make our country better, do it to keep the national pride alive so that others will continue ponder feelings of pride for themselves - not just on anniversaries of American tragedies - but every day as a Proud American.

Roger Simmermaker is the author of "How Americans Can Buy American: The Power of Consumer Patriotism." He also writes "Buy American Mention of the Week" articles for his website www.howtobuyamerican.com and is a member of the Machinists Union and National Writers Union. Roger has been a frequent guest on the Fox News Channel, CNN and MSNBC and has been quoted in the USA Today, Wall Street Journal and US News & World Report among many other publications.

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