Acts of patriotism
Last Tuesday's terrorist attacks have prompted an outpouring of nationalist sentiment on a scale not seen since World War II. What is the most original or inspiring display of patriotism you've witnessed over the past week?
I saw an American Flag in a window and underneath it read "These colors don't run". I truly am proud to be an American.
-Lori, Revere
The morning after the attack, I wasn't sure how things would be. On my way to work, I pulled onto the main road and the first thing I saw was an elderly man standing out in front of the town hall holding a huge American flag. It brought tears to my eyes, and then they had the moment of silence on the radio at the exact minute the first plane hit. It's a moment I will never forget.
-Traci, Canton
The greatest display of patriotism that I have seen is the kids in our condo complex coloring (with sidewalk chalk)an American Flag in an empty parking space. It is great to see the young kids have a sense of what it means to be an American.
-Rebecca, Westboro
For me, beyond a doubt, it is the brave, brave people of Flight 93.
-Debbie, Boston
I don't find it inspiring, but surely the most remarkable,
and somewhat original, display of patriotism displayed in
the last week was the courageous attack on US buildings
by a number of fanatically patriotic Arabs. It was also
wicked, and rather short-sighted -- I doubt it will do any
good for the Palestinians -- but that is typical of acts of
patriotism, isn't it? Such acts are more concerned with
"honor" than practical results.
-Chas Simmons, Jamaica Plain
This morning, a week after a national tragedy occurred just about every radio station in Boston paused for a moment of silence and then followed it up with the national anthem. As I was sitting in traffic on 93, I looked around at others as this was happening and not one single person around me had dry eyes.
-Jim, Haverhill
I drove to New Jersey this past weekend, you could see the smoldering fire from the remnants of the WTC from across the river. The skyline looked eerily naked with only the Empire State building easily identified. As I felt the fury and outrage which have been so prevalent since the incident, I looked up and saw a Huge American flag hanging from the rafters of the George George Washington Bridge . It was soothing and brought with it feelings of great pride and patriotism. Thank You.
-Andy, Jamaica Plain
On Saturday I saw 3 little boys standing on the side of the road holding a poster that read "United We Stand" with American flags all over it. These boys were in Weymouth and not more than 8 or 9 years old and I thought that was great that they were outside for hours holding this sign for people to see, unlike the children in Afghanistan who were happy about the acts of terrorism that went on here. I know those boys don't really understand what is going on but two thumbs up for our little American boys!
-Lori S., Holbrook
I was in New York City this past weekend. While driving down the Bronx-Queens Xway I saw dozens of large buses either parked or moving in the slow lane. What I thought was just people trying to get home because of the closed airports was actually hundreds of US soldiers, firefighters, and volunteers going to help. On the return trip to Boston there was an overpass near Hartford on I84 with a fire truck parked on it. The people were waving and displaying the flag. United we stand.
-Trent, Newton
The display of Patriotism here is amazing. Unspoken sadness is evident but the waving of so many American flags makes you proud to be an American. We are united in this time of tragedy.
-Kris
