From the archives: For kids, this Christmas has a different feel to it

This story was originally published in Newsday on December 20, 2001

A mild fall sky and a myriad of multiethnic families smiled upon Santa Claus, his wife, his elves, Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman as they descended upon the Flushing Post Office one recent December day.

As the elves, in pointed red shoes and toe bells, cavorted with the crowds, the gung ho-ho-ho guy in the red suit and removable beard plopped himself in a large red wooden chair and pulled the first 300 children in line onto his lap (not all at once) for free photographs. This would be Santa's 18th annual visit to the stately red-brick building with its marble steps and white stone columns.

But this year would be unlike any other, for the merriment would be mixed with memories of the World Trade Center (as it would be globally).

Even the decor was different. Enlarged pictures of the new 34-cent, self-adhesive stamp featuring the U.S. flag and the 'United We Stand' motto, commemorating the events of Sept. 11, dotted the evergreens on the still-green lawn. Santa's helpers' red and white stocking hats were embossed with gold metallic images of the Twin Towers. Spectators wore Twin Tower T-shirts or other patriotic clothing and accessories. Children of diverse ethnicities waved the American flags they received for free.

The constant buzz of low-flying planes en route to and from LaGuardia Airport bombarded the block, causing hearts to skip a beat and children to blurt out, "Maybe that's bin Laden!," "It's a terrorist!," "They're coming after us again!" The childish chit-chat and chortle were commingled with visible signs of stress over the events of that day, which they had obviously deeply internalized.

"This year is different from all others I've ever seen here," remarked poet Vincent Tomeo, who lives nearby. "It is a combination of a religious and a nationalistic event. This is the first time I've seen kids of every possible ethnic group interacting and waving American flags as one. The tragedy has brought us all together."

But why the tragedy struck in the first place, only Santa would know, the youngsters were certain.

"I think Santa would say that the people who crashed the plane were mad because last year he didn't go to give them their presents," postulated Christian Chan, 10, a fifth-grader at Public School 24 in Flushing.

"The terrorists had a bad education. They didn't learn that crime doesn't pay," said Cindy Xu, 6, a first grader at PS 154.

"The people who did it are really bad. That's why they want bad things to happen to good people," said Vikram Bhatnagar, 13, an eighth-grader at Intermediate School 237, who was born in New Delhi, India.

"Some people have a lot of hate in them and no love for other people," said Betsy Sharma, 10, a fifth-grader at PS 120, who was born in Ponjab, India.

"The terrorists want to destroy us so the economy will come down, and all the countries will lose their power," said Aldo Altamirano, 11, a sixth-grader at PS 120.

"The terrorists forget the rules of their religion and just go crazy. They are in a state of madness where they don't care what's going to happen to them," said Sijad Abid, 16, originally from Pakistan.

"They're mad at us because we're a free country, and they're not, and they don't want us to be free," said Madeline Martinez, 11, a sixth-grader at PS 120.

But although Santa declined to offer any insight or words of wisdom, the kids were undaunted, for they had already formulated their own advice affecting the country's future.

"We need to be careful when we see a plane making a wrong turn," Abid said.

"We have to pray that nothing bad will happen again," said Victor Torres, 14, a ninth-grader at I.S. 237.

"We should be kind to people and give the poor people homes and food," said Stephanie Esquivel, 9, a fourth-grader at PS 20.

"We shouldn't be scared or worried, because we will probably win the war," Madeline said.

"We should pray that everything will turn out okay," Aldo said.

"We should go to their country and ask them, 'Why are you doing this? Do you want trouble? We're going to bomb you for the rest of the year until you respect us!,'" said Lionel Fuentes, 14, a seventh-grader at IS 185.

"Santa should just start giving them better presents this year, that's all!" concluded Chan with an innocent smile.