Red, white and blue…or green and gold?

In the past week I have felt more emotion than I have in years. My state of mind has run the full gamut of emotions, including disbelief, fear, anger, hope, love and pride.

Immediately after the tragic events at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in the lonely Pennsylvania field, I felt disbelief that anyone, no matter how zealous in his or her cause, would inflict the horror of mass murder upon innocent people. Soon after, fear crept into my mind as I wondered if a loved one or friend were part of this disaster.

Once I had accepted the reality of the situation, my emotions shifted to anger. Actually, anger is too soft…hatred is a better description. I’m not a "hater," and I am somewhat ashamed of the way I feel. I want those responsible to feel the sting of retribution — all the better if justice is prolonged and painful. This feeling is not very Christian, but it is truthful.

As I watched the events unfold during Tuesday and the subsequent days, my emotions shifted to hope and love — love for those emergency responders who knowingly faced death. Many of us have seen the news video where firefighters on a routine call witnessed the first plane crash into the World Trade Center and immediately responded to the scene. It is likely that those responders were killed in the subsequent collapses.

There were numerous other acts of love… from the New York City Fire Department chaplain administering the last rights to a fallen firefighter to the horrifying image of people jumping from the top of the towers, holding hands on their way to death. My faith in common man was bolstered by numerous acts of kindness and support from across the nation.

I feel deep sadness for those who lost loved ones and friends. We know that the concrete and steel can be rebuilt. The loss of life can never be corrected. The stories of tragedy and irony are endless and heartbreaking.

I am so proud of the acts of many Americans. Those supporting the families of victims, those working on the rescue efforts, those donating money, blood, and supplies. It is clear that many met the call of those in need. I am also proud of the swell in visible patriotism. Flags fly; people express their pride in our nation in numerous ways.

That brings us to the events of today (Monday). I am writing this letter as I sit and watch the stock market plummet more than 600 points. Clearly, this is an indication that some of us are more interested in the almighty dollar. It is not the average citizen causing the stock market to plummet. In fact, many of us common folk have purchased stock today in an effort to prove that the terrorists’ efforts can’t affect the spirit of our country. Those who have sold stock have made a statement…one that bin Laden and others like him have been hoping for…green and gold are more important to some than total solidarity in the face of this crisis. There is even evidence that the terrorists participated in similar stock-buying and stock-selling antics.

If you sold stock, you need to ask yourself if you would tell the rescue and construction workers or families of victims how important your saving a few bucks was in the face of this national tragedy.

I often hear comments in the media that our forefathers lived in a different world and their views are no longer topical. In 1776, a local figure, Thomas Paine, wrote, "These are the times that try men’s souls; the summer soldier and sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country." It is clear that some of us are no different from those who shrunk from supporting our cause during the American Revolution. Many did what they did for financial reasons then, and, unfortunately, it has become apparent that many of our fellow citizens do it now. There is no yellow or gold in our national colors. You need to look at the flag of Afghanistan to find them.

Everett A. Mount is a resident of Allentown