After September 11, the patriotic feelings associated with the Fourth of July will be different from years past. The American flag has become a symbol for more than just Independence Day.

“Everybody who is doing anything is using a patriotic theme – not just for the Fourth of July, but in promoting their products you see the use of the American flag,” said Steffen Schmidt, university professor of political science.

For example, Macy’s in New York is celebrating its 100th anniversary in patriotic style.

“The ad in the New York Times showed Macy’s as a wonderful old department store,” Schmidt said. “The American flag took up the entire page . and red, white and blue prevailed in the ad.”

This year, patriotism will fly at full staff.

“There is just this whole feeling – people are willing to put up with a lot of things,” Schmidt said. “Patriotism is a feeling of pride in your country, but also a feeling of us against them, of having to join together as a society to survive and protect yourself.”

Schmidt said this year, the feeling is widespread.

People have flags on their cars and houses. They have pins of the American flag on their jackets.

“I think you’ll see more serious patriotism and a desire to gain a better understanding of the country and its origins,” said Jose Amaya, assistant professor of English.

He said September 11 reminds us what we’re about as people.

“In the aftermath, patriotism reminds us what we’re fighting for, what we’re protecting, what we don’t want anyone to take away from us,” Amaya said.

Amaya feels this year there will be an attempt to reach across boundaries of race, gender and ethnicity.

The FBI and the Office of Homeland Security is expected to issue a high national security alert – characterized by the color orange – to the citizens of the United States to be careful this Fourth of July.

“What does an orange warning mean? It is less than a red warning, but what does it mean you are supposed to do?” Schmidt said. “Does it mean you should carry a gun with you, does it mean you don’t go to the bars or Fourth of July celebrations?

“I’m not sure it’s possible to be `extra alert.’ We don’t know what [the alert] means. We know terrorists are supposed to blow up the Statue of Liberty, but what am I supposed to do?”

There are no answers, because there isn’t much we as civilians can do, Schmidt said.

Amaya feels these warnings are good and people will listen, especially when making travel plans. He said people may avoid going to places like the Statue of Liberty, but not Des Moines.

“They’ve always issued travel warnings and terrorist alerts urging citizens to be more alert,” Amaya said. “I think it’s important for people – even in Iowa – to be more vigilant, to watch what’s going to transpire.

“I think there is a tremendous opportunity for the nation to gather all of its people under one spirit, the spirit of the nation, to be re-energized to share what makes this nation great.”