From grief, inspiration

June Casagrande

NEWPORT BEACH -- Don Gregory and Dick Belkin were on the phone,

Newport Beach to Tucson, watching together as the Sept. 11 tragedy

unfolded on their televisions.

When the World Trade Center went down, so did the seven employees of

their business: the observation deck on top of Tower Two. Their grief,

like most everyone’s, can’t be put into words.

But the inspiration that eventually grew out of their grief is on

display for the whole world to see at o7 www.americashalloffame.comf7 .

“We felt compelled to do something that would evoke America’s spirit,”

said Gregory, a former Newport Beach arts commissioner who also holds the

film rights to the 1950 classic “Harvey.”

Along with partner Belkin, Gregory had been planning to create an

“America’s Hall of Fame” in New York City -- a place to honor everyday

patriots. When the attacks occurred, they decided that they shouldn’t

wait any longer to procure a physical space in New York City.

“America’s Hall of Fame became more relevant,” Gregory said.

The two launched their Web site, where anyone can nominate their

friends, loved ones and rank-and-file heroes in several categories of

honor. A for-profit business, the site offers the opportunity to buy a

plaque to send to the honoree, but access to the site, nominations and an

electronic scroll that can be printed out on a user’s computer are all

free.

“It’s been exciting to watch the response,” said Belkin, who explained

that Web marketing and media attention have given the site a small boost

into prominence. “Response so far has been pretty good.”

For Gregory, the project has dovetailed with yet another all-American

endeavor: producing a modern version of the Jimmy Stuart film “Harvey.”

“I don’t ask too many questions about fate,” said Gregory, who

recently renewed with a major studio the option to reproduce “Harvey.”

“But for me, stories about the American spirit are all coming together at

once -- the Hall of Fame and ‘Harvey,’ which is very much about some of

the American values in the forefront right now.”

* June Casagrande covers Newport Beach. She may be reached at (949)

574-4232 or by e-mail at o7 june.casagrande@latimes.comf7 .