Letter to the Editor

American spirit will not be extinguished

To the editor:

How can you describe hundreds of police officers and firefighters who enter two dangerous buildings to rescue victims and then perish as the 110-story buildings collapse on them? How can you describe hundreds of volunteers searching through rubble to rescue a person they have never met? Although his noble act renewed the hope of the rescue team and Americans throughout the country, how can you describe a firefighter planting an American flag in the center of the rubble when hope of finding survivors was just about gone? Even though they want to know they have helped in some small way, how can you describe millions of people throughout our country giving blood?

The only words that can be used to describe those heroic events are these. It is the American spirit. This spirit comes from our having experienced the wonderful breeze of freedom. This refreshing sensation has resulted from sacrifices made by the American heroes of the past

These terrorists who have threatened us think and do whatever they are told. They are like computers programmed to do what their cowardly leaders wish. If war becomes a reality, these terrorists will not succeed in eliminating this spirit, because they don't know freedom for which it is worth living, fighting and even dying. This is the American spirit.

MONICA LaVANCHY

Jackson, Mo.