The nation has watched the dust settle over the rubble of the World Trade Center and the gaping hole in the Pentagon, while workers rummage through broken heaps of America.
But amid the wreckage stands a steadfast symbol that is disappearing from stores as quickly as a flap in the wind.
American flags, which often sit idle on store shelves throughout the year, awaiting a national holiday, are becoming increasingly difficult to find as Americans from coast to coast are scampering to display Old Glory — a symbol representing a new and unbridled passion for American unity and expression.
“I can proudly say that I am amazed,” said Irene Besinger, a sales associate at Wal-Mart.
Besinger, who has worked for Wal-Mart for 20 years, said the retail giant is struggling to keep up with the skyrocketing consumer demand for flags.
“The customers want small flags, big flags, and are buying just about anything that is red, white and blue,” Besinger said. “I put out the new shipment of 500 flags at 6 a.m., and thirty minutes later the boxes were all empty and many people are still looking for just one.”
From the “stars and stripes” snapping in the wind behind student vehicles on The University of Memphis campus to a reported 4-ton flag soon to be erected at the Pittsburgh crash site, a new commitment to American culture and unity has emerged from the rubble and smoldering ash.
“There has definitely been a strong and unique sociological change in America since last Tuesday,” said Phyliss Betts, a sociologist at The U of M.
Last year, Robert Putman, an academic who has authored numerous books on the social landscape of America, released data in one of the largest sociological studies ever conducted in the United States.
Putman indicated in the study that Americans, in general, are increasingly becoming independent from each other, and social involvement in the “united” country has experienced a sharp decline in many aspects of the American culture over the last 20 years.
While Putman offered some grim statistics on Americans’ dwindling interest in each other, the “strong sense of unity” following Tuesday’s tragic attack has apparently produced a complete reversal in the nation’s social reliance and unity.
“It a basic sense, it is human nature to unite in the face of challenges and tragedy,” Betts said. “We will just have to wait and see if the tragedy has a lasting impact on the sociological climate of this country.”
A survey conducted by the Marist College Institute of Public Opinion in 1999 showed Americans have become less patriotic in the past few decades.
The survey indicated barely half of the sampled population has an American flag displayed at their home, even on July 4. In addition, 64 percent of Americans said the country as a whole is becoming less patriotic, compared to previous generations.
Right now, the stars and stripes can be seen scattered throughout every borough, town and city in the nation, and if the rate of flag sales continues at this pace, “(American flags) will fill every crack and crevice in this nation’s landscape in a week,” according to Besinger.
In addition to the immense demand for flags, the American public has also donated millions to the American Red Cross and other agencies to assist in search and rescue efforts, as well as donating blood to a point that blood banks in some cities are turning people away.
Jerry Carr, store manager of Wal-mart on Austin Peay, says that there are no more flags on the shelf.
Ray Clark, also a store manager for Wal-Mart, said that the telephone has been ringing non-stop from people looking for American flags.
“Over 50 people called this morning looking for flags,” Clark said.
Clark said that by mid-afternoon, the only flag that was left was one that was broken during the shipping process.
“One lady called and she wanted the flag,” Clark said. “She didn’t care if it was broken.”
