Thanks to all for your care and concern. Gratefully, thankfully, my husband was able to call me at about 4pm. He is alright, if not shaken. I have spoken with family and friends from my hometown in NJ, just across the George Washington Bridge. From my home there, on the cliffs of the Palisades overlooking the Hudson River, the burning debris from the Towers can be seen and black smoke blankets the air. All of the broadcast channels are out, only cable. All transit in and out of the city has been cancelled or closed; rails, buses, highways and bridges. The hospital I worked at for so many years has taken in several dozen injured for triage. Many are in the OR and recovery room where I worked till just recently. It is all so surreal. Volunteer firefighters from all across northern NJ are assisting in the search and recover effots. Several are close friends of mine and my husband's. Already they estimate that 300-400 firefighters were killed as the towers collapsed. People were seen jumping from the building in a final attempt to save themselves.

My sister-in-law's brother, someone I grew up with, who is an investment banker and was at his office inside of one of the Tower's at the time of the attack, has not yet been located. I can only pray we have not lost a family memeber.

Dear Buddy, I cannot imagine the grief that Mrs. Reece has to deal with at this time. I am so devastated for her loss. Please tell her that many people unknown to her pray that God gives her the strength to endure this unimaginable tragedy.

Carrie. What can I say. You Brit's have always been there for us. Thanks to all your countrywomen and men for their support. Perhaps our media is "too close" to the event and too emotional right now to report as clearly as the foreign media. But I have to tell you that having listened now for 2 hours to the BCC, I feel so comforted to learn how our many foreign friends are rallying to our side, determined to assist us in bringing these cowards to justice. This was not just an attack on the U.S., but on the very concept of freedom and democracy throughout the world. Politics aside, listening to Tony Blair gave me great comfort. Pres. Bush is currently in an underground bunker under high security alert in the midwest and we eagerly anticipate his return to the capital and his message to the nation. We really do need our leader right now. I pray that God gives him the strength to comfort and guide us through this tragedy. And to your husband Carrie, very, very special thanks for his support and dedication. Hopefully there will be no further loss of life on either side of the ocean.

Karen, I will be there to join you in our collective prayer. Thank you for helping us all during this horribly sad time.

Sandra

[ September 11, 2001: Message edited by: tatsxxx11 ]