What does patriotism mean to you? - Braver Angels Fairfax Monthly Meeting

As we move into 2026, we invite you to join us in renewing a form of political participation that has come to seem almost quaint: practicing citizenship by making strong connections and strengthening our communities. Over the past few decades, we’ve allowed our communities to shrink, our outlooks to sour and our politics to become toxic.

We’re guessing you are reading this now because you want something different and better for yourselves, your families and your communities.

Braver Angels provides the infrastructure and tactics and tools to convene and collaborate across the political spectrum. With our sister Alliances in the “DMV” area, the Fairfax County Alliance is creating a schedule of events for the coming year, some of which will relate to our nation’s birthday.

We’ll kick off 2026 with a simple discussion of a complex topic: What does patriotism mean to you? And what about our 250th year as a nation will you contemplate and celebrate? Join us on January 13th at 7 PM at the McLean Governmental Center; doors open at 6:30 PM. We will have light refreshments.

We have pulled together various resources to get your brains moving in different directions. Some of these are ‘newsy’, some informative, some lean right or left and some are just opinions. It is not a comprehensive list by any means but merely designed to start your thinking about your perspective and other’s. We look forward to hearing about your own points of reference.

Comparing different eras is instructive; the meaning of patriotism changes depending on time and place. Have your views changed over time and place?

How do you envision at the future of the United States? How do we embrace the whole of our history? John Woods, Braver Angels’ National Ambassador, has captured these thoughts well in his latest message.

Scroll down John Wood’s email for a range of online events you can join.

Our future is shaped by imagining what can be and putting aside our presumptions of each other. We look forward to seeing you!
* * * * *
Braver Angels holds workshops, debates, and public presentations designed to bridge the political divide we are experiencing in our country. Our events help conservatives, liberals, and independents get past stereotypes and have civil conversations about current issues, helping open the way to productive problem-solving, mutual respect and understanding.

Meetings and events are free and require no commitments. Just bring your willingness to listen, learn, and participate with civility, without judgment. Please read more about The Braver Angels Way here.