Military types have a neat little flag-honoring daily ceremony called "colors." It happens at 0800 and sunset every single day. We play a little song, and the flag goes up or down. If you can hear the music, you have to stop whatever you're doing and wait until it's over. If you're in uniform, you have to face the music and salute.
When I was younger, I thought it was stupid. I'd watch the clock, memorize sunset times, and avoid colors by any means possible. Then I had an epiphene (which I can't spell correctly). All of a sudden, the flag had meaning to me, and honoring the flag as a symbol of the sacrifices that have made our country great suddenly came into perspective for me. Now, if I'm near a door, I'll go outside just to salute the flag for colors.
Call me crazy, but at least call me a patriot.
Dan