Letter: It’s a shame that it took a catastrophe

Friday, Oct. 19, 2001 | 4:19 a.m.

As I make my way through my neighborhood streets and on into the city I see American flags everywhere; in flag stands, on flag poles, draped over windows and flying in the wind on car antennas. The red, white and blue is everywhere.

I could see these colors flying at half-mast during our two-week mourning period. Patriotic songs have taken over the airwaves. Fund-raising efforts for humanitarian aid are taking place on all levels nationwide. Financial donations are coming in by the millions. I see cars with their headlights beaming in mid-day as a somber reminder of the events of Sept. 11.

It's a shame, a real travesty that it takes a catastrophe -- killing thousands of innocent United States citizens, changing lives forever -- to bring back the patriotism in this country.

RICHARD D. JUILLERAT

archive