American resiliency

By Robert Carley: Standing by the window of my office in Stamford, Conn., I saw the billowing smoke from the World Trade Center towers coming from across Long Island Sound. I remember turning to a co-worker and remarking helplessly that thousands of people were dying right before our eyes.

The terrorists shouted “God damn America.” Americans shouted back “God bless America.” The terrorists called America “The Great Satan.” Citizens showed the world that America was the “Good Samaritan.” Our hero first responders showed courage and unbelievable sacrifice as they came to the aid of victims.

When the Twin Towers came crashing down, they did not crush the American spirit. The falling towers did not shake the faith of Americans.

Sept. 11 changed my life in an unusual way. I was an illustrator and artist. After 9/11, I decided to pick up a camera that I had inherited and focus on documenting tributes to America.

Flag tributes to America began to spring up everywhere. Flags sold out, and homemade ones were created. The flag came to life in new ways. I have had the opportunity to photograph more than a dozen flag-painted houses.

I started off taking photos in my hometown and then eventually branched out, traveling to 43 states. Ten years later, I believe I have captured the American spirit through my more than 30,000 photographs.

The Kent, Conn., flag house was painted within two weeks of Sept. 11. This house, now painted over, was one of the most inspiring patriotic tributes I have encountered. America was a house united. This house illlustrated the spirit of America after 9/11. We were a united nation, one family, and resilient.