I personally think it IS patriotic and it's beautiful! I don't know how it could be any more patriotic, really. I know how much it hurts to have a gift rejected, whether you made it or not.
Is he usually like this? If he is, there are some people who are tackless and unfeeling. Honey, now you know not to make something for him again and it's too bad that it's your father.
Chalk it up to experience and know that there are hundreds of us right here on this board who would be grateful and proudly display your work in our homes. {{{hugs}}}