Residents from around the Valley rally at mall in show of patriotism

A crowd of about 1,000 cheered when members of the military entered and when local firefighters took the stage.
By JoANNE VIVIANO
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN -- Christopher and Kay Wright know how important community support is during wartime.
They felt it when Christopher served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Gulf War.
And they know it will become crucial as America reacts to Tuesday's terrorist attacks in New York City and the Washington, D.C., area that President Bush has called acts of war.
That's why the Struthers couple adorned their clothing with American flags and went to a "Celebrate America" event Saturday at the Southern Park Mall.
Mall Marketing Director Pam Ferguson estimated that about 1,000 people attended the event sponsored by Cumulus Broadcasting's local radio and television stations.
Young and old waved flags, raised signs, held balloons and wore red, white and blue, some in sparkling hats, others in striped pants, some wearing Old Glory, others pinning on ribbons or buttons.
"I understand what patriotism is all about," said Mrs. Wright, recalling the days her husband served in Saudi Arabia. "If we can unite this nation ... I think it's going to be amazing what we can accomplish."
Touching display: Ruth Grier of Boardman was touched by the show of unity. The woman said the tragedy has united a nation and has united individual families: Her son who rarely called now calls every day; and, this week, she and her grandchildren hung red-white-and-blue ribbons on trees in her yard.
"I had to be here," she said. "I think it was just marvelous."
The crowd cheered as a color guard of servicemen and servicewomen representing all branches of the military presented the American flag, with the help of Boy Scout Troop 70 of Deerfield.
They also erupted in cheers when firefighters from Boardman, Youngstown and Brookfield took the stage. Boardman Fire Chief James R. Dorman displayed a New York Fire Department T-shirt and asked the crowd to contribute to a fund for fallen firefighters' families set up at Sky and Key banks. One Brookfield firefighter carried an American flag and a fireman's flag. Another U.S. flag was attached to the red helmet he wore.
The event was marked by performances of the national anthem and "God Bless America" by Youngstown State University student Beth Malys of Boardman as well as a rendition of "God Bless the USA" by West Branch teens and a spiritually uplifting song by pupils from Emerson Elementary School in Warren.
Pitching in: Representatives of the Salvation Army branch in Youngstown, Second Harvest Foodbank and the Mahoning County chapter of the American Red Cross all spoke of relief efforts and the outpouring of support from Youngstown area residents.
Bill Rees of the food bank said thousands of pounds of food items were collected in one day. Julie Scarsella of the Red Cross said centers have been inundated, with donors giving 1,500 units of blood per day. The Red Cross chapter also collected donations at the event. Hundreds who gave -- from $1 to $400 -- each hung a small red cross on one of two bare trees. Donors wrote personal messages on the crosses -- "God Bless America," "Our Prayers Are With You," "Give Us the Strength" -- which will be sent to New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
The hosts of the event were local radio and television personalities from WQXK-FM 105, WYFM-FM 103 and WHOT-FM 101, WKBN-TV 27 and WYFX-TV17/62. Donating services and items to the event were Boardman police, Action Silk-screening, Shooting Star Entertainment, Pepsi-Cola, and Gloria Jean's Coffee Bean.