Thousands gather to pay tribute to those killed in terrorist a

ST. LOUIS -- Standing apart from the thousands of area residents gathered on a hillside in historic Forest Park, Norma Holcomb and Freddie Haeffner held aloft an American flag bigger than either of them.

Throughout an hourlong ceremony at the park Sunday -- part memorial service, part wartime rally -- the pair ensured the massive flag wouldn't touch ground.

"Tired? A little bit, but I don't notice it," Holcomb said. "I'm thinking of all the firefighters and police officers in New York. Don't you think they're tired?"

Similar thoughts echoed through the park Sunday, as the gathering organized by KMOX radio and KMOV-TV converged at the park's World's Fair Pavilion. Many spoke, many waved American flags, and everyone sang and said they stood united by the horrific acts of terrorism that struck New York, Washington and Pennsylvania last week.

"War is not in our nature, we won't start, but we will end the fight," said part-time poet Jack Buck, who has become the city's patriarch in his 50 years spent broadcasting St. Louis Cardinals baseball.

"We've been challenged by a cowardly foe who strikes and then hides from our view," Buck said. "With one voice we say there's no choice today, there is only one thing to do."

Buck's somber call to arms came amid prayers for those killed last Tuesday when a pair of airlines struck and toppled the World Trade Center's twin towers, a third hit the Pentagon in Washington and a fourth crashed in Pennsylvania.

'God has made life sacred'

The crowd, addressed by religious leaders of various faiths, cheered when Waheed Rana, imam of the Islamic Foundation of Greater St. Louis, stood to offer his words to those assembled.

"There were Muslims also working in that building," Rana said.

"God has made life sacred, and thou shall not take it. If you take one life, you take the life of the people. If you save one life, you save the life of the people."

St. Louis firefighters stood at the base of the hill, collecting money in empty boots for their fallen brethren in New York. Two of the city's ladder trucks parked end-to-end hoisted the only flag bigger than Holcomb and Haeffner's above the crowd.

St. Louis Fire Chief Sherman George thanked the crowd for their support of his department and the New York Fire Department, who lost hundreds of officers on Tuesday.

"If they had to die, they died doing what they love, protecting the lives of others," George said.

Many walked a mile

The park, always a gathering place for St. Louis and the surrounding community, swelled Sunday as well-wishers arrived for the service. Parking was nonexistent and many walked a mile or more along wooded paths to reach the pavilion and the service.

Sylvia and Taft Prince, of St. Louis, brought along their 6-year-old daughter, Angenella. They simply "wanted to be a part" of the memorial service, Sylvia said.

"I want everyone to see that we're united in our support," Sylvia said. "To me, we've taken a lot for granted. Other countries go through this year after year.

"Now it's on our soil."