Introduction 1. SEPTEMBER 11,2001 A Time of Gifts They Took a Vote Let Us Be United Do Unto Others A Hero for Our Time A Firefighter's Account of the World Trade Center Two Heroes for the Price of One FYI What Can Be Said? Twin Saving at the Twin Towers More Than Chocolate E-Mails from Manhattan Prayer Flags New York Cabbies Anxiously Awaiting ADayinD. C. Last Call The Vigil A Picture and a Friendship Memento 2. AMERICA RESPONDS A Night at Ground Zero The Only Thing We Could Think Of Playing for the Fighting 69th Reflections from the Pit Dear Mr. Cox A Patriot to the End Beep if You Love America The Face of America How the Children Help Answering His Country's Call His Dream Came True The Unity of Strangers The Cops from Madison, Alabama Given the Choice raking Control Operation Teddy Bear No Words Send Beauty Repaying an Old Kindness rhe Crumpled Blue Ribbon BOWS Across America 3. THE WORLD RESPONDS A Fishing Village Opens Its Heart to Surprise Guests Smallest Gestures Dear Dad Four Simple Words Hope from Abroad Did You See Me? The American Flag An Ode to America Tribute to the United States 4. RENEWED PATRIOTISM The Aftermath I Am the Flag of the United States of America Mike's Flag Just Ask Permission Ragged Old Flag Bring Us a Flag Of Thee We Sing I Pledge Allegiance to the Flag from the Bottom of My Heart I Am an American 5. UNITED WE STAND ME Chance Encounter The Ominous Sound: Racist Assumptions Long-Distance Call Our American Family 6.REFLECTIONS Vintage Voices Time to Pray Putting Things into Perspective What I've Learned Familiar Strangers Can't We Call Game? Reflections from a New Father The Mustard Seed Ground Zero Make It Green 7. WHERE NEXT? Celebrate Life What Is It? Something Special Why Are You Waiting? Standing in Solidarity Neighbors Knowing Neighbors Is This Normal? Act Two Acknowledgments