Military service is an inherently patriotic activity. It is a signal of allegiance to the goals of the nation state in a fundamental way that extends to other aspects of national pride. Even in our contemporary discussions of patriotism and social activism, and effective strategy is to suggest that an act or belief violates our veterans and active duty military members. Military service can also spur military members themselves to work for political change, altering their relationship with the state about their place in the national culture. Black veterans sit at the intersection of these two forces, believing in the promise of American democracy and fighting for it upon return to their communities after military service.