In response to Marianne Lorensen's October 17 column, "Being American more than Flying Flag," we do not need to know a lot of trivia about our country to understand what it means to be an American.

All that is necessary is respect for what we stand for, and the understanding that our flag symbolizes both freedom as individuals and unity as a country. People have been open and caring on a level that has not been reached in years, very possibly decades. Charitable aid has skyrocketed in the last two months. Since Sept. 11, everyone in the nation has looked on and prayed for New York and Washington, D.C., regardless of "race, color," or "creed."

After the outpouring of love in light of the terrorist attacks, how can anyone say that someone's not an American for not knowing all the verses to "The Star Spangled Banner?"

Criticizing Miss America contestants for not knowing that the Statue of Liberty held those exact words is unfair to them. You do not need to know the exact quote to understand what it represents: America's position as a sanctuary from oppression.

I was able to recite the first verse of the "Star Spangled Banner." I knew the answer to the Statue of Liberty question on sight. But that does not make me any more or less American than people who even unknowingly live their lives by these ideals.