When President George W. Bush called for a national day of mourning for victims of the tragedies in New York, Pennsylvania, and the Pentagon last week, Boltonians gathered at several ceremonies around town last Friday. But mourning and remembrance has not been limited to posted times. Ever since the tragedy, moments of silence and the singing of patriotic songs have been features of many local gatherings, and many houses are bedecked with large flags.
Smaller flags stream from cars, trucks, and motorcycles.
In response to Bush's call for a noontime memorial observance last Friday, many community members met at two of the town's churches for services led by Pastors Kurt Richardson at Trinity and Richard Jones at the Federated Church. At Nashoba Regional High School, white ribbons were handed out Thursday morning to everyone present in the building, including students, staff, and contractors working on the renovation project. Because of that project, no auditorium was available for a large student gathering. However, at noon, an intercom announcement asked the entire school population to stand and listen to the national anthem, sung by Nashoba sophomore Sue Homicile of Lancaster and junior Stephanie Field of Bolton. At that hour, the cafeteria was bursting with students, but the usual uproar was stood listening, hats removed respectfully, and white ribbons on every lapel and T-shirt.