4 January 2002 La Posta
The Brisbane stamp show first day cancel is shown in stopped by complete strangers in markets who heard
figure 2 on an Australia Post cover for the Common- my American accent to express their sympathies. In
wealth Parliamentary Meetings. Ironically, the cover Yamba, a coastal village where we do our weekly shop-
was issued to coincide with the Commonwealth Heads ping, someone ran up an American flag on a “bush”
of Government Meeting which was to have been held flagpole in their front yard a couple of days after the
in October 2001 in Brisbane. The meeting was can- world had learned of the tragedy. Over the course of
celled due to security concerns in the wake of the World the week, people began tying flower bundles to the
Trade Center and Pentagon attacks. flag, and it stood as a makeshift shrine for the whole
town. Across Australia, similar outpourings of sym-
No doubt the Australian government will participate
pathy and solidarity were made, both officially and by
in an official joint issue stamp by the Coalition coun-
every-day people, and Bill and I were both touched to
tries in the future. Few Americans may know this, but
see such evidence of friendship and commonality be-
Prime Minister John Howard happened to be in Wash-
tween the two countries. Even though the “United We
ington, D.C. when the Pentagon was attacked, and was
Stand” stamp was commissioned by an American cor-
profoundly affected by the events of September 11.
poration, it is certainly representative of the good will
Howard had been scheduled to address Congress, but
of the Australian people, and I believe it will be well-
this was cancelled after the World Trade Center and
received on both sides of the Pacific.
Pentagon disaster. Nevertheless, he attended the first
House session after the attacks, and was given a long “United We Stand” stamps and covers can be found
and moving standing ovation by Congress. Australia on e-Bay. Single sheets may also be ordered for $15
was one of the first countries to step forward to side U.S. (includes postage) from Max Stern & Co., PO
with America, and in October began sending air force Box 997, GPO Melbourne, 3001, Australia (03) 9654
and naval troops to support the Afghanistan campaign. 6751.
The mood in Australia toward the U.S. has been one
of strong sympathy and staunch support ever since
th
September 11 . The news was broadcast on televi-
sion, newspaper, and radio non-stop for two weeks.
We felt just as though we’d never left Oregon. Even
here in remote country New South Wales, I’ve been
Figure 2 Brisbane Stamp Show cancel (first day of show) on Commonwealth cover with the “United We Stand”
stamp.
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