In Vestavia Hills, November means flags lining U.S. 31, students preparing for assemblies and neighbors lining the streets for Birmingham’s Veterans Day parade — the oldest in the country.

But this year, as the United States approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026, we wanted to ask a personal question:

What does patriotism mean to you — and how do you live it, here in Vestavia Hills?

We invited veterans, first responders, civic leaders and neighbors from across Vestavia Hills to share their reflections. Not about politics. Not about headlines. But about daily life — what they believe, how they act and how we might all find common ground through love of country, even when we disagree.

Their answers weren’t political. They weren’t rehearsed. They came from daily life — they just asked u

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