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 am a Bostonian attending college in PA about an hour and a half from NYC. The line at our local blood bank was six hours long last Tuesday and our local hospital finally started refusing blood donors because they couldn't handle the crowds of people wanting to donate. Despite the long lines to donate, not one person complained about being inconvenienced. This shows that Americans are not willing to just sit around and let the terrorists get the best of us.
-Claire, Allentown, Pa.
The humanity and compassion of Dan Rather as he appeared with David Letterman last night, shows me that it is impossible for anyone not to be affected by this tragedy. Also I applaud NYC Mayor Guiliani for the brave manner he has conveyed in what is the most difficult time in his life. He has shown the United States and the world the resolve of the entire city of New York, and the United States. Freedom will live on.
-Gary, Burlington
I just got people in the office to follow my lead -- I gave every cent that was in my pocketbook to the Red Cross Center (for our New York neighbors).
-Margie, Brighton
The most patriotic scene in the week since the attacks were the gatherings of people holding candles on Friday night. I passed at least 3 such gatherings with at least 200 people each as I passed through Hudson NH, and many more groups of 1, 2 and 3 people huddled under blankets on their front lawns holding their candles. God bless America!
-Hudson, N.H.
The young receptionist at Chase Landscaping on the Cape was adamant about cutting my friend's lawn for free, having heard he was at sea and would not return for at least another month due to last Tuesday's events. She assumed he was in the U.S. Navy. Upon hearing that he was in the Merchant Marines, she stated, "That's alright ... we like Marines as well. Please tell him we appreciate everything he is doing for our Country."
-Dennis Newman, Brewster
My whole company, one of the largest banks in the country, is wearing red, white and blue ribbons. When my friend went home yesterday her 15-year old daughter asked where she had gotten the ribbons from. She told her that she had gotten them from work. Last night her daughter went out with five of her friends and went door to door asking if they could tie red, white and blue ribbons on each neighbor's car.
-Michelle, Richmond, Va.
Even if (when) we get Osama Bin Laden, there can be no justice, we can't kill him 6,000 times. We must maintain the resolve to eliminate the potential future terrorists still alive and plotting. The spirits of the innocent victims demand that much of us. Let morality prevail. Love to all those in anguish.
-Faith, Stratham, N.H.
Last Thursday at the John Mellencamp concert, there were moments in particular that really got to me. This was a time when virtually everything had been cancelled and people were still in complete shock. The crowd of 16,000+ was chanting "U-S-A" and waving flags throughout the three hours. Then in the song "Pink Houses," there is a line "Ain't that America, for you and me. Ain't that America, Home of the Free!" Literally everyone there sang those words out and then let out a huge cheer. The sound of the voices was louder than the amplified music. I was in absolute awe and full of pride. It was an experience that I will never ever forget. I felt at that point that those who have died on Tuesday and all of those who died in combat for our country in the past, had not died in vain. The sense of patriotism had been so deeply instilled in all of us that it would never be extinguished. This country would go forward as one.
-Jim, Bellingham
We should support the leaders of our country and the heart retching decisions they have facing them in the future. Pray to your God that they make the correct ones for the benefit of our country and the future generations that need to dwell in a "land of the free and the home of the brave." My heart and prayers go out to the victims and their families. Hopefully in the next weeks and months to come we don't just put it behind us to the
point that we become indifferent. "Lest We Forget".
-Claudette, Panama City
