I believe that 99% of the time, those "fighting for our freedom" (in the US) aren't fighting for the continued existence of their people. It's pretty much common knowledge that they are bribed into fighting for the one percent after being backed into a socioeconomic corner. In that case, I agree that they are deluded into national pride.

That being said, there are plenty of nations, or peoples, who are proud of their modern achievements in the fight for the preservation of their identity. If a people becomes apathetic and divests from their tradition and heritage, it will be taken from them. For example, the US government has perpetuated cultural genocide on American Indians, but they keep fighting for their traditions. They are quite the opposite of weak or unaccomplished. They continue to fight and pass down tradition in spite of being massacred and starved. I would be very proud if I was a part of such a nation.