I personally do not understand American pride, because that is what it is. When you look at North Korea and the way it brings up it's citizens, it is not so different. Hitler's Youth, same thing. They use the past as a way to reinforce patriotism and exceptionalism. And they teach these things from a very young age, because that is when childrens' minds are developing.
And yes America is a more developed (or just rich) country, but I find the overt patriotism and exceptionalism somewhat crazy.
We live in one world, all people born equal under God. No country is better, no country sets the only example. Do you also honor the Russians who put down their lives to end WW2? Probably not.
But I get it, it's nice having something to believe in, with some kind of theatre to it, some kind of ritual. A bit like in Britain you have the Queen and the royal family. Although I don't really know anyone who is crazy about it except from other countries. I think less patriotism is a good thing.
You make it sound so fairytale, which is just how these things are taught as children. It's so wonderful and magical, you know such horrible monsters of the past overcome and vanquished, little do children know that they will grow up to regard their country as better than all countries. So when some news about Russia comes along, or North Korea, lo and behold the public say 'they are the enemy' 'bomb them to hell' 'NATO must take action'. This gives little regard for all the civilians deaths America is responsible for, and yet, this will just be some magical collateral of a greater cause. No, it's human life, like me and you.
Who caused the great depression that lead to WW2? Sometimes I wonder, was the outcome foreseen, and therefore intentional? Weapons make a lot of money, some men would kill for the money it makes, and have little regard for human life, including for the cannon fodder who are propagandised into believing they are fighting for good, fighting for justice, fighting for world peace. But of course, soldiers don't kill do they? Soldiers who are human beings don't get PTSD from such a thing, do they? To me, America seems to be at the centre of the lack of peace in the world. But then I get it, new weapons need testing grounds. That's not so far from the truth if you think deeply about it.
While North Korea tests it's nukes, America would love to test its nukes on North Korea (you know, people dying kind of test).