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?
After searching for a flag to no avail my 7-year-old son drew me one that's on my front door. Sadly, my 9-year-old son told me that if he was 18 he would join the war and die for his country. Not that I think that it's an act of patriotism, it's just so frightening for a young boy to make a statement like that.
-Frank, Everett
Curt Schilling's letter to America and the New York Mets wearing the NYPD and FDNY hats ... both practically brought me to tears (again)
-Gib, South Boston
Dan Rather's display of emotion on the Letterman show spoke volumes!!
-Kathy, Saugus
In North Attleboro there was a young group of kids that were in front of their house on the main road with flags, candles, music. These kids were no older than 10 years old, and they were cheering for hours. When I came home from work, they were out waving the flag at 530. And again when I went to get milk at 1030. That means a lot to people who love this country.
-Brian Jr., Attleboro
Someone lined Revere Beach with candles in paper bags. They were every three feet for 2 miles. At 7 p.m. on Friday, people went down there and everyone lit a few candles. It was amazing. The candles burned for hours, lighting up the beach all night. It was absolutely beautiful and thank you to whoever did that!
-Beth, Boston
My neighborhood had a candlelight vigil Friday night. As we were all saying a prayer, a Domino's driver came down the street. He stopped, took off his hat and raised his own lighter in unity until we had finished reciting the prayer. He delivered the pizza and returned saying "God Bless America" as he drove by.
-Diane, Dracut
On Friday September 14th an impromptu gathering which turned into an American Rally occurred in Maplewood square in Malden Mass. My estimate was at least 1,000 people gathered on the spot waving American flags and lit candles. In my 27 years as I've never seen anything close to this in terms of Patriotism.
-BG, Malden
Last Friday night, driving through Burlington on Winn Street at 7 p.m., I noticed someone holding up a lit lighter in their truck as they passed me. The person was all by themselves in the cab of their truck. It made me think of Americans, and our friends the world over, who may be solitary in stature, but are united in grief, remembrance, perseverance, and hope. I still get misty when I think of it.
-Gail, Burlington
After President Bush's speech on top of the rubble that was
the World Trade Center and hearing the chants, "USA, USA, USA" was just awesome.
-Name, Town
I think the most patriotic thing I've seen is all the people who are stealing US flags from graveyards and other people's houses. GO USA!!! Idiots. Flags are merely symbols, or idols. Show your 'patriotism' by donating or acting like an American instead of being a flag waver.
-Dan, Malden
