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 was listening to WZLX on the way to work this past Monday morning and heard a story about a guy from Gloucester who went to his local Home Depot and bought every single respirator as well as other equipment to help with the search and rescue effort. He then loaded it all into his truck and drove straight down to NYC and donated it to the local firefighters. And it wasn't him calling the radio station to tell this story, it was a neighbor of his. I thought that was very cool.
-Joe, Danvers
In my sister's neighborhood, a group of children got together toys and went house to house selling them. They were raising money for the victims/relief fund of the awful disaster that rocked the United States.
-Kim, Hanover
In the middle of Davis Square, there is a memorial with scores of candles and messages ... each time I went by over the weekend, there was a different group of people maintaining the site and keeping the candles burning by scraping out wax from around the wicks and relighting them. This exemplifies to me, that the flame of freedom will NOT be extinguished!
-K, Arlington
Sunday I was entering the on ramp to I-95 near Lynnfield only to find two cars ahead of me parked. I realized that they were being blocked by a long line of Harleys going down the highway. We got out of our cars and cheered as they went by. I don't know how many bikes there were but it lasted about 5 minutes with three lanes of Harleys cruising by waving American Flags, flashing peace signs and revving their motors loud. I couldn't think of anything more American than that.
-Zac, Malden
I want to reiterate the person Smiths from Lynn comments. I drove done Rte. 107 on Friday night and was amazed by the number of people out with signs and American Flags. What made it more amazing to me was that many of these people are children of immigrants. It really made me proud of my country and my city.
-JC, Lynn
Posted in a shop window was the front page of some small weekly newspaper was a full page picture of the firemen unfurling the huge flag at the Pentagon crash site. In large print over it was the quote from our national anthem, "and our flag was still there ..." I haven't felt touched like that since my children were born.
-Esmerelda, Acton
Last week when Congress was assembled on the steps of the Capitol and spontaneously started singing God Bless America was very emotional.
-Tom, Boston
This morning at 10 a.m., church bells were rung 41 times throughout Somerset County to commemorate the victims of Flight 93. Our City Hall in Johnstown did the same. Each peal of each bell was like a prayer being sent.
-Linda Gilroy, Johnstown, PA
I think its wonderful of all the support that everyone is doing!! I'm hoping to start a trend. My windows are filled with flags, my car, like almost everyone is doing, but I decided to all of a sudden get out my Christmas lights, I put red, white & blue lights on the bushes outside my window, shaped as the Great American Flag!! People are beeping, and I came home and my neighbors were out front, they saw me get out of my car and they started to applaud. We need to stay reunited!!! Thank You !! God Bless America!! We Will Overcome!!
-Michael Drillis, Lynn
Just a note I would like to drop. When draping your flag in front of your house, please make sure the stars are on the left.
-Louise, Boston
