I live across the street from an elementary school in the Chicago Public School system, and I was just aroused from my writing by cheering and clapping and honking of cars on the main street through my neighborhood. I looked out the window and saw a parade of all of the school's children, by classroom, coming out with each student holding an American flag. Passers-by on the street honked their horns in support of the students and teachers.

I also live on a main O'Hare flight route, and saw several planes come in for landings as I watched the parade. It is an eerily gorgeous day here, sunny and cool and clear, much as it was in Washington (where I was) last year on this day. We are a strong people.