Nation Turns to Patriotism After Deadly Attacks

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By Sue Pleming

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Appalled by the most heinous acts of terror on U.S. soil, many citizens directed their numbing despair into patriotism on Wednesday from a mass display of flags to donating blood and volunteering.

With encouragement from the president, political and community leaders, Americans rallied together after kamikaze pilots rammed planes into the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon (news - web sites) on Tuesday, killing thousands.

Described by Webster's as a ``love and loyal or zealous support of one's country,'' patriotism offered some comfort to those coming to grips with the horror of Tuesday's attacks.

``On this occasion we are once again showing the world what it means to be an American,'' Democratic Rep. Richard Gephardt (news - bio - voting record), Senate Majority leader, told fellow senators.

``We are determined to show the world that America will not be defeated by anyone,'' he added.

In New York -- the epicenter of the violence -- Mayor Rudy Giuliani said there were more volunteers than the city knew what to do with.

``The people of the city, their spirit is tremendous. ... This city is the greatest city in the world and a bunch of cowardly terrorists cannot make us fearful,'' Giuliani said.

FLAG SALES SOAR

In the most obvious sign of patriotism, flag sales soared across the country. Wal-Mart, the world's biggest retailer, said it sold 88,000 American flags on Tuesday, compared with 6,000 flags on the same day last year. Patriotic red, blue and white ribbons were also flying off the shelves.

In federal buildings, flags were at half mast as a sign of the respect for the thousands who died. Local radio stations in the capital urged listeners to hang out American flags from their homes and businesses.

Outside the White House, visitors to the capital waved small flags handed out to them while doing a tour of the landmark building.

``It really brings it home how important our freedom is. We were scared yesterday. Today we are really proud,'' said Kaye McPhie, 63, from Salt Lake City.

American University professor Mitch Hammer, an expert in crisis response management, said the public's response was steadily shifting from a sense of horror and disbelief to an arising patriotism because America was seen as under threat.

``There is a distinct possibility that unless the American public takes the high road then it will go from numbing disbelief to rage. We need to channel patriotism in the proper way,'' cautioned Hammer.

In personal signs of compassion, tens of thousands of people across the country donated blood to help those injured in the tragedy while others volunteered their services for anything from clean-up to bereavement counseling.

DONORS LINE UP TO GIVE BLOOD

Brian Dow, a state worker in Florida's capital, found more than 50 people ahead of him in a line that snaked outside the blood donation center in Tallahassee.

``I couldn't even get into the parking lot, there were so many people there. I'm going to have to go back in a day or two,'' said Dow, standing by a nearly empty display of U.S. flags.

In Chicago, commuters going to work by car saw a huge American flag draped over an overpass on a major freeway into the city.

Students at Adlai Stevenson High School in the Chicago suburb of Lincolnshire agreed via e-mail on Tuesday night to dress in red, white and blue for school on Wednesday in a small show of devotion to the nation.

Even some of those who had lost relatives said their love for America had not been diminished.

``We are very touched by the words of our president and we hope that this horrible set of events will help to bring the American people together and a real effort against this kind of terrorism,'' said Alice Hoglan, whose son called her from one of the doomed planes before it crashed.

The American flag became a motivating force for some of those involved in rescue efforts at the Pentagon.

On Tuesday, when a firemen planted an American flag on a tall pole in the blackened debris just outside the smoking building, military and rescue workers let out an emotional cheer.

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