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Patriots find many ways to support United States Mail Tribune / Jim Craven In a show of support following terrorist acts on the East Coast, Duane and April Wright of Medford hold signs and wave to passing motorists at Biddle and McAndrews roads on Wednesday. The couple's son, Daniel, slept in the stroller next to them. By SARAH LEMON Under Wednesday's noon sun, a Medford couple spent their day off from work on the corner of Biddle and McAndrews roads holding signs in support of their country. "I now believe more in America than I ever have," said Duane Wright who, along with his wife April and 11-month-old son Daniel, braved mid-day heat to show passing motorists they think their country is still shining after Tuesday's terrorist attacks. Flags flying at half-staff on public buildings Wednesday reflected the nation's state of distress. Rogue Valley residents flying the red, white and blue had mixed feelings. "I suppose it's a small way of shaking my fist at whoever did this," said Don Hildebrand, referring to the 7-foot-long flag floating in the breeze above the doorstep of his Crown Avenue home. He and his wife want to honor those killed Tuesday and show solidarity with anyone touched by the tragedy, they said. After hearing about the tragedy Tuesday, 10-year-old Marc McComas came home from school with a mission. He told his mom, Debi, that he was going outside to do something. She thought he was playing basketball, but within 30 minutes, he had transformed the yard of their Alcan Drive home into a memorial. The Grace Christian School fifth-grader raised a large American flag then bordered the sidewalk with about 20 smaller flags the family usually displays on the Fourth of July. In the center of the yard is another small flag surrounded by a wreath of flowers. A hand-made sign reminds passersby they can help Tuesday's victims by giving blood. Marc, who wanted to give blood himself until his mom told him he was too young, said it felt good to support his country. Debi said she was impressed that he came up with the idea on his own. "Kids' minds are really soaking this in," she said. "And even at a young age, they can be patriotic." Those sentiments most likely prompted Rogue Valley residents to buy flags in the past two days. Flags purchased Tuesday and Wednesday at the three Hubbard's Ace Home Centers in Medford topped sales totals for a typical three-month period, said manager Bob Seus. The stores were sold out of flags Wednesday. More will be in Monday, he said. But the town's shortage of American flags didn't keep some from showing people that "even Medford cares." The Wrights' signs, bearing the slogan "God Bless America" and other messages, elicited honks and waves from hundreds of cars Wednesday afternoon, they said. They also were reminding people to donate blood or money to aid the disaster victims. And pray. "We may have lost lives," Duane said, "but we will gain in the end." Reach reporter Sarah Lemon at 776-4487, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.