Fourth of July full of emotions
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Advertiser Staff and Wire Reports
President Bush said yesterday that Americans should not let threats of terrorist attacks deter them from publicly gathering to celebrate Independence Day, as the nation's cities and towns geared up for holiday festivities.
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| Rick Knox, left, and Keola Keahi of Pyro Spectaculars prepare fireworks for Ala Moana Center's fireworks show tomorrow off Magic Island. The 8:30 p.m. show will feature fireworks devices used at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City.
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"They should celebrate heartily because we have freedom and we love freedom," Bush said. "And they should also know our government is doing everything (it) can to make the homeland secure."
In Hawai'i, many residents are swelling with patriotism on the eve of the first Fourth of July since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, but it is patriotism tinged with fear and sadness, observers here say.
The holiday this year is a sea of mixed emotions for most Americans, said Sankaran Krishna, chairman of the University of Hawai'i Political Science department.
There is a surge in patriotism, especially noticeable in Hawai'i, where some residents aware of the overthrow of the Hawaiian kingdom a little more than a century ago or the internment of people of Japanese ancestry after Pearl Harbor "don't easily wear the flag on their sleeve," said Krishna, a native of India who is about to receive his American citizenship after living in the United States since 1983.
"Hawai'i has had an uneasy relationship with gung-ho patriotism, but this year is an opportunity to be patriotic because the enemy is 'out there,' and I would expect a somewhat more public showing of the flag and of the various insignia of patriotism," Krishna said.
At Hardware Hawai'i in Kailua, where the town turns out for an old-fashioned Fourth of July parade every year, flags were flying off the shelves yesterday, according to one of the managers, Dale Murphy.
"Basically, the sales of flags since Sept. 11 have been 1.5 times the sales in the previous year, and starting from Memorial Day it's jumped up considerably," Murphy said.
Retail flag sales are down at Flags n' Things in 'Aiea, proprietor Lorraine Archibald said, "but that's simply because, since Sept. 11, people have been able to buy a flag at any grocery store."
Krishna said it is almost impossible to think about the Fourth of July without thinking about the warnings issued by the government that terrorists may try to attack an American target on the Fourth — and that reminds people of the horror and sadness of Sept. 11.
Associated Press
There is "an element of mourning as you celebrate, the idea that somehow observing the Fourth of July acknowledges the people who were killed or wounded that day," he said.
A jogger runs past the security perimeter that divides the Capitol Mall in preparation for the nation's Fourth of July celebration tomorrow.
Krishna said one of the things he likes most about Hawai'i is that its brand of Americanism showcases a place where so many races and nationalities and cultures mix. The state remains a model for the respect for diversity which is probably one of America's best weapons in the war on terrorism, the professor said.
Flag seller Archibald agrees. "If anyone wants to capture a picture of the Fourth of July in America, go down to the beach or the park in Hawai'i," she said, "and you will find all the nationalities and backgrounds and they will be supporting this country, their country."
Bush plans to spend the holiday tomorrow at a low-key event in Ripley, W.Va., and then return to the White House to watch fireworks on the Mall, White House officials said.
White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said there were no plans as of yesterday to change the government's terrorism alert level, which is now at yellow, or mid-level on the five-color scale.
"It remains a time of celebration and vigilance," Fleischer said.
In the nation's capital, the FBI and other law enforcement authorities said they would be on heightened alert for the possibility of terrorist attacks, even though they have received no specific or corroborated threats. That also was the case in Los Angeles, New York, Las Vegas, Seattle and other cities.
A confidential warning from the FBI to federal, state and local law enforcement agencies said that although the bureau has no "specific or credible information" of a July 4 threat, "the political and cultural significance of this date warrants increased vigilance."
Authorities in Washington said they were stepping up security to unprecedented levels at the gala fireworks celebration on the Mall for the nation's premiere July 4 event. More than 2,000 officers from 16 different agencies — far more than in years past — will be on hand, and there will be numerous extra checkpoints and special double-fencing around the historic 300-acre area, officials said.
"We feel very prepared at this point," said Teresa Chambers, chief of U.S. Park Police.
A lot is riding on the event, Chambers acknowledged.
"This is our first post-9/11 July 4 celebration for Washington — what greater place to celebrate our independence and let the terrorists know that they missed the target?" she said. "There is no reason for anyone (planning to attend the event) to change his or her plans," Chambers added. "My family is going to be down there. This is where we want to celebrate this Fourth of July."
Staff writer Walter Wright contributed to this report.
