What an extraordinary week. My condolences to the families and friends of those who died in the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. My prayers for the victims – and for their families and friends who are alive. Life is continuing.

On that note, the living have many things to do. My support to our country’s leaders, and the men and women whose job it will be to:

• continue efforts to seek survivors;
• clean up and rebuild;
• give comfort to the families and friends of the victims;
• those whose responsibility will be to hunt down the perpetrators of the attack, and hold them accountable and bring them to justice.

For the first time, I am able to comprehend what my parents felt like on December 7, 1941. The uncertainty; huddling around radios; cancellation of sports events; coming together to help out by donating time, material possessions such as clothing, or volunteering to help clean up at the site or by donating blood to those faraway.

I am reminded of differences, though. Digital differences. Use of cellphones during the attack as a method to immediately contact loved ones and identify the perpetrators. Use of the Web as a resource to obtain information about events faraway and events closer to home. The constant reporting of events on TV. Use of footage from many amateur photographers. Use of high speed copying machines to print copies of notices to parents on how to deal with terrorism and comforting children. Use of email and instant messaging to communicate feelings that maybe were once before done in the public square, and personal contact interrupted only when power is cut off.

Our country made it through September 11, 2001. We have much work to do in the weeks ahead. It will take sacrifice, resolve, courage, determination, and fortitude. Let’s continue to give it our all.

Keywords: #911 #sept11 #september11

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