Rob ODonnell, a former detective with the New York City Police Department, was involved in the rescue and response efforts to the 1993 World Trade Center Bombing as well as the 9/11 response.The Daily Signal Podcast features him discussing the Fourth of July, patriotism and the contempt some show towards the American flag. He also discusses how he would encourage Americans embrace patriotism.ODonnell states that we made a promise on the Fourth to create a better union. Each American owes it this nation to do our part to make this country better, to make the United States a better nation, to make the United States a better nation, and to make the United States a shining light in the world.We are certain of that. It's been a difficult time lately, with all the rhetoric. But it is up to each citizen of America, the individual who lives here, and the people who came to this country to contribute to that philosophy that we are more perfect than we currently are. We strive to be more perfect.These stories are also covered by us:Two Arizona election integrity laws were upheld by the Supreme Court.High court also rules in favor charities against California's attempt to force them to reveal their donors to the attorney general.Jill Biden, first lady and President Joe Biden visited the scene of the Miami condo crash.Rachel del Guidice, I am joined today by Rob ODonnell on The Daily Signal Podcast. Rob ODonnell is a former NYPD detective. Rob, it's great to have your back on The Daily Signal Podcast.Rob ODonnell: Rachel, thank you so much for having me. It's a pleasure to be with you.Del Guidice : It's great to have you back on the podcast. Rob was interviewed by me, I believe, in February or March. He also shared his story which you can find in the show notes. Today we will be talking about Independence Day and the Fourth of July. It's coming up next week. Rob, how patriotic do you consider being patriotic, since the country will be celebrating Independence Day.ODonnell: Thank you for your service to our country. On the Fourth of July, we promised to create a better Union. Every American has a responsibility to the nation to help make it a better Union, to make the nation a better country, to make the people better, to be the shining light in the world. We are, there is no doubt.It has fallen on hard times lately with all of the rhetoric that goes. But it is up to each citizen of America, each person who lives here and the people who came to this country to pay into the philosophy that we are more perfect unions and that we strive to be more perfect unions.We will make mistakes. We have made mistakes in the past. We have learned from our mistakes and we have changed as we learn. We will learn from our mistakes in the future. It is each citizen's duty to do their best to help this country.Del Guidice, How can you encourage Americans to be more patriotic? You might have heard it in social media conversations. What would you do to encourage Americans to be patriotic this year?ODonnell: This is my No. ODonnell: My No. 1 advice is to stop using social media. Go out and see America. Talk to Americans of all backgrounds about how they have contributed to making America the best country in the world. Go see it, and enjoy the many experiences we have shared with this country.You can't do it through your phone. You don't have to follow what others tell you. It's a story, it's a narrative that slants their view or gets advertisers.The best thing about America is to go out and experience it for yourself. This Fourth of July, I have one thing that I can recommend to you.Del Guidice (English): We've seen a lot of attacks against law enforcement in the past year. As Rob mentioned, we have seen the defunding police departments in different parts of the country. What would you tell people, as someone who served the country in some of the darkest hours of her life, about the importance and value of law enforcement, especially given your service on 9/11?ODonnell: Law enforcement can be a difficult profession. That is something I'm willing to admit. We do our best and our track record would be comparable to any other profession in the country.Concerning defunding police officers, we were witnessing real-time tests in cities like Baltimore, Chicago, New Orleans, St. Louis, New York, and Philadelphia about what defunding police officers does to these cities. It causes an increase in crime, homicides, and just plain danger to the average citizen.If they didn't learn from their immediate reactions to defunding police, then we are in for a sad and disappointing future.Del Guidice: When we discuss the Fourth of July, patriotism and something that happened in the news recently, I think it illustrates, to some degree, where we are in this country in terms of how people feel about it.Gwen Berry is an Olympic hopeful. When the national anthem was being played, she turned her back on the American flag and held up a T shirt that read, "Activist athlete." She may even be representing the United States at the Olympics.How do you view this? What are your thoughts on the attitudes that we see more of in our day, when people openly disrespect a country they represent to the rest the world?ODonnell: Yes. ODonnell: Yeah. I've already touched base with you on social media. She has every right to protest what she did. She has every right to feel and act as she did. She doesn't have the right, however, to represent Team USA and the United States during the Olympics.It seems hypocritical of her to use the platform to represent the USA to advance her own agenda as an activist.As Team USA Olympians, your role is to represent your country and be an ambassador for the USA on the international stage. She has completely failed in that regard, and I support her right of protest. However, if she really feels that way, she shouldn't be representing Team USA at Olympics.Del Guidice : Rob, we've discussed this before on the podcast, but for those who didn't listen to that episode, you were involved with the rescue and response to the 93 World Trade Center Bombing, as well as the recovery and response on September 11. Were there any other listeners that didn't get to hear about this?ODonnell: Yes. ODonnell: I meant, when I responded to 9/11, I saw some of the worst things in the world. I witnessed the worst that this country has seen, one of its worst incidents. Then I saw the best in America.I was impressed by the manner we responded to it, how we handled that day, and how ordinary citizens, first responders, police, firemen, medics, and everyday doctors went to help. This was American excellence at its best.After 9/11, the story of how we came together as one nation, how our neighbors were embraced, how we were afraid, and how we decided to find more common ground than what drove us apart. That was the beauty of 9/11, which I remember well now as we approach the 20th anniversary.Del Guidice. Since it is the 20th anniversary and considering that you were there that day, and saw the best and worst of that day, what are your thoughts on the current climate for patriotism in America? As someone who was there that morning, and sees the same things on the nightly newscast, among other things, what is your perspective? What would your advice or perspective be on the current climate of patriotism in America?ODonnell: Based on what I saw with the eyes and what my family experienced with me seeing what he saw, my son chose to serve his country and attended the service academy. He is currently serving in active-duty military. My daughter is currently enrolled in a BSN Nursing program to help our country in the medical sector. My youngest child was accepted into all three service academy programs. She will be attending one from tomorrow, and she is going to serve her country.This is my view of the future patriotism in this country. Young people love this country, and they want to give back before they leave to take what this nation has to offer.Del Guidice I am grateful for your sharing it and for the service they provided. A different topic, we will end with Fourth of July. However, I wanted to discuss Fourth of July as a summer crime season. Summer tends to be a time when crime is at its highest in large cities. What do you think 2021 will look like?ODonnell: I don't think we have yet reached rock bottom in these towns. That's what I believe it takes.The city begged for help in the 1980s and early 1990s when I was a New York police officer. Because these residents of the inner city were so diverse, they were asking for more police. I'm tired of sleeping in my tub. I'm tired of being unable to walk to the grocery store. I'm tired of not being able walk my child to school, and having to keep him home due to the gunfire.Crime is on the rise. These cities are now dangerous. These cities are the scene of crime on every news report. It will not stop until it becomes as severe as it can, before enough people realize that it is unacceptable. These cities will continue to be a threat to the everyday citizen who just wants to live their lives.Del GuidiceODonnell: The Fourth of July is about our independence as a nation in order to create a better union. Do your part to make America a better union. Learn what you don't know about the nation. Learn about the history of our nation. Learn one thing about your nation in a single day.Go out and look at things with your own eyes. Don't view it on social media, the TV, or on the radio. Instead, get out there and experience America firsthand. It is truly a beautiful place.Del Guidice : Rob, that's a wonderful way to close. We are grateful for you joining us on The Daily Signal Podcast.ODonnell: Rachel, thank you. Thank you for having me. Happy Fourth of July.Do you have a comment about this article? Send us an email at [email protected] with your comments. We may publish them in our We Hear You section. 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