What is the point in patriotism?

Hey, just wondering how people justify the patriotism of their country. I am currently under the impression that being patriotic of one's homeland is pointless. Firstly, I fail to understand why people are patriotic of a place in which they had no choice in living or being brought up in. Furthermore, and with hindsight, it is clear for us to see that patriotism, or perhaps more importantly in this case, nationalism, has been extraordinarily damaging to the welfare of all our collective countries, i.e. Hitler's and the Nazi's nationalistic views, and how they lead to the war. How would you go about countering my arguments and perhaps making others for being patriotic? Thanks. Just interested.