Well your probably older.
I need to clarify... the current generation.
My generation, our teens... their is no patriotism there.
Older people - yes. My mother is patriotic and remembered the school days where they would strap you if you dare disrespect the national anthem. And Vimy Ridge touches the older generation (baby boomers)
But my generation, nope, its a effort to stand up for the anthem...
Speak for yourself West. You and I are in the same generation and I have no problem standing for our national anthem, or singing along as loudly as I please, or standing in the bitter cold on Remembrance day ceremonies. Patriotism comes in many forms. Maybe our generation needs to learn more respect, littering would be a good place to instill some patriotism.
When my degree is finished I plan on enlisting in the RCAF. Some of my friends think I'm nuts, after all what does an agricultural degree have to do with war? To me, war is only one aspect of the Canadian Forces. It certainly gets the most attention, but there is also the disaster relief, community programs, search and rescue (which is what I hope to do), humanitarian missions, etc.
When I finish my time in service, I plan to move on to agriculture again. With some leadership skills from the forces, extra training on top of the education I'm taking now, I'd like to help other nations by implementing efficient technology for farming, and in retirement I can have my own little hobby farm, with the excess going to local farm markets.
Maybe I'm not the norm. All of my friends are the type who do have long term plans to use their education to make this country, and even other countries better places to live. You don't need to be a flag waving, leader loving follower to be patriotic. I think it's more patriotic to demand more from our leaders, even criticize them (which in recent years has seemed tantamount to treasonous.)
I think it starts with familly, most things do. I was raised to have respect for so many things and I will pass on that gratitude and love to my children.
EDIT: I still toy with the idea of running for political office some day as well, provided I don't get to cynical in the future...