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Tragedy revives American Patriotism
EDITORIAL
On the morning of Sept. 11, our country was violated. In an attack orchestrated to rock the very soul of our nation,
anti-American zealots hijacked four domestic airliners and slammed three into familiar and treasured icons.
And we, as a nation and as a people, were shattered. From the horror, however, emerged this country's proud and
profound legacy-land of the free and home of the brave. Stories of one heroic and compassionate act after another
filled the airwaves. The one basic and enduring principle we learned as children, but tend to take for granted as adults,
was reaffirmed-freedom.
People across America rushed to stores to buy flags, t-shirts, ribbons and just about anything meshed with colors of
red, white and blue.
Blood banks, in a rare move, turned away donors because they simply could not accommodate the country's generosity.
Relief funds, often struggling to meet needs, found themselves plied with cash to help victims, as well as heroes, of
this tragedy. And a spirit, usually reserved for annual Memorial Day and Fourth of July celebrations, found itself alive
and well on that eventful Tuesday in homes, offices and congregations nationwide.
Horror and heartache united America; but as our collective pain recedes, will our love of country and patriotic zeal
wane as well?
The icon of American freedom, the stars and stripes, has been raised from half-staff, and life in our country is
slowly returning to normalcy.
Some say it is this state of uncertainty that keeps us united and filled with pride. As time passes, people inour
country will again be lulled into thinking that events like Sept. 11 simply do not and will not happen in America. With
this renewed complacency, porch flags will come downand the "Star Spangled Banner" will return to its proper venue as
the opening ceremony for sporting events.
But America has changed. This great country is more thana flag, a song or a story of heroism in the local newspaper.
It cannot be seen.
It cannot be held. And, it cannot be controlled by the hatred and envy of those who seek to destroy it.
America is an idea. It is a place where people of every origin, every color, every language and every station in life
converge to worship inpeace, speak without threat and enjoy the many gifts of true freedom.
As a new generation learns what it means to sacrifice for freedom, the true American spirit will burn brighter with
each new day.
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