In lieu of the September tragedy at the World Trade Center in NYC, it was indeed gratifying to see the response of so many well known celebrity types who were proud to stand tall as Americans and help those less fortunate during their time of need.
A galaxy of big show biz stars literally put their money where their hearts were, pledging more than $60-million to help the victims of the tragedy and their families.
 Among those pledging big bucks were Julia Roberts, who gave $2-million. Madonna promised $2.4-million from her L.A. concerts. Britney Spears pledged $2-million. Rosie O'Donnell, Jim Carrey, Sandra Bullock and rapper Dr. Dre each gave $1-million.
In addition, Whitney Houston donated all proceeds from her re-released rendition of 'The Star Spangled Banner.'
Fergie, whose children's charity was on the floor of the World Trade Center, established a fund to help the victim's families.
Kathie Lee Gifford also set up a fund - to aid her personal assistant, whose husband worked on the 105th floor of the World Trade Center.
Michael Jackson even vowed to raise as much as $50-million through sales from an all-star ballad titled 'What More Can I Give?'
In addition to donations and pledges from concerts and film royalties, many celebrities pitched in and donated their time to help victims in need during the emergency crisis.
 Sylvester Stallone, George Clooney and Jim Carrey, among others, were constantly visible on the TV screen, manning phones and in general lending their celebrity-status personae to help the cause.
One of the more touching examples was set, perhaps, by Elizabeth Taylor, who rushed to the scene of the tragedy, rolled up her sleeves and 'waded right in' the middle of the rubble and debris. There was no 'star status pomp and circumstance.' Liz simply asked officials, 'What can I do to help?'
In a day and age when a great number of our country's best-known celebrities are normally snaring headlines with all sorts of bizarre capers such as drug busts, alcoholic binges, rapes, kidnapping, suicide and other assorted atrocities, it was indeed refreshing to see some of our nation's top celebrities in another light - albeit under adverse circumstances.
Most of us media types often 'cast stones of verbal abuse' quickly and defiantly at our nation's celebrities when they don't behave properly or conform to the standards we often unjustifiably place on them. We fail to recognize, sometimes, that they, too, are not much different from the rest of us when it comes to standing tall, hanging in there and facing adversity with determination and true grit.
Americans are often divided when it comes to race, religion or politics. But when it's a question of stand to the last man (or woman) and fight for survival, show biz people are usually leading the pack when the 'big event' is launched.
Unfortunately, in the aftermath of the terrible tragedy, the question on some Americans' minds, however, was were these show biz folks sincere in their 'rallying around the flag' routine, or did they simply see the media exposure on TV and in the nation's press as a giant publicity 'hype?'
And, to cut to the chase, did they really funnel all those funds collected from folks coast to coast and around the world into the hands of the proper authorities or was some of it hidden away into their own private coffers'
I would like to think 'absolutely not' clear across the board. Sometimes, I get the feeling that it's too easy, because of jealousy or resentment, to point a finger at those daring to perform in the spotlight. But, remember this, just as it requires courage and backbone to stand before thousands of folks on a concert stage, it requires even more courage and spunk to stand tall and be counted when everything is on the line.
In the final analysis, that's what makes Americans different from other people. And, what I liked about the whole dreadful deal was that when it came time for the curtain call and all the applause, the celebrities stood supportively on the sideline, leading the cheers for the brave, gallant policemen, firemen, medics and other folks risking life and limb in the heat of battle.
This was not the kind of event you like to write about or remember. Hell, it was a nightmare. But I think it did bring the folks of this country a little closer together at a time when waving the flag and working up a sweat was more important than boxoffice receipts and rave reviews.
Let's hear a round of applause for the celebrities who rallied for the cause.
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