Patriotic ceremony kicks off emotional Olympics

SALT LAKE CITY -- Under a layer of fresh snow and a blanket of unprecedented security, America welcomed home the Winter Olympics with an emotional opening tribute to its heroes, from the pioneers of the West to the thousands who perished on Sept. 11.

In a powerful display Friday night that launched the nation's first Winter Games in 22 years, an honor guard of U.S. athletes, accompanied by New York police and firefighters, entered Rice-Eccles Olympic Stadium clutching the tattered flag recovered from the ashes of the World Trade Center.

The packed stadium fell silent at the sight of the flag, a giant hole ripped through the red and white stripes.

President Bush watched along with International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge as the processional entered the stadium to the strains of "The Star-Spangled Banner," and the 360 strong, proud voices of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

For a home crowd bedecked in red, white and blue -- under white cloth parkas handed out for the celebration -- the moment marked a break from a five-month mourning period defined by terrorism and war, anthrax and economic woes.

"Your nation is overcoming a horrific tragedy -- a tragedy that has affected the whole world," Rogge said in prepared remarks. "We stand united with you in the promotion of our common ideals, and hope for world peace."

This night, before a sold-out crowd of 55,000 spectators and a worldwide televised audience of 3 billion more, provided America with a chance to celebrate. And the party had a perfect setting: the soaring Wasatch Mountains, wrapped in several new inches of fresh snow.

"This is an opportunity for us to put America's best foot forward," said Sandy Baldwin, president of the U.S. Olympic Committee. "We are psyched, and it's 'Go, USA!' "

It all culminated with the arrival of the Olympic flame, following a 13,500-mile journey through 46 states, and the lighting of the Olympic cauldron.