story8536.xml

story8536.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-10-21

This horrific situation saddens me for so many lives
have been lost. I feel so sorry for all the families
that have lost their loved ones. Things will never
ever ever be the same! Relationships have been
destroyed by such an evil force. I believe that, it
will take forever to heal a broken heart. Something
that is so devasting to comprehend makes you wonder
why such terroristic acts of violence exist.
Especially when you have known someone in your life
for years, it has such an impact on your mind. A
mother, a father, a daughter, a son, uncle, aunt,
cousins, comprise not just immediate families but also
extended families -- have special relationships that
will last an entire lifetime. However, there are no
words that can express my deepest sympathy for all the
families out there that have lost a family member in
this terrible tragedy.

Trying to locate my cousin Angela was very hard for me
to take because no one in my family knew where she
was. She works for Columbia Records in New York City
but lives in New Jersey. Later,by 4pm, my cousins
from Quincy finally heard from her; she was safe.
Thank God!

I was absolutely devastated when I was told fellow
co-workers from TJX were killed! Though I work at
HomeGoods (owned by TJX, Inc.), it really it me hard
because my fellow co-worker lost her father John
Corcoran. There are people that I have worked with:
in the Hingham 4th July committee, John Barbuto, his
niece Christine lost her life. My friend Nicha Sabbag
last told me that her father was missing...I haven't
heard any news since.

When I contributed to the 911 Fund where I work in a
government building, I happened to meet a firefighter
in the lobby who just returned from Ground Zero. All
I could do was hug him....He was my hero! I wanted to
express my deepest gratitude for all the hard work to
save lives. It meant so much to me.

I have been to New York City, Manhattan, back in 1992,
on assignment for the Boston National Park Service. I
remember visiting the Empire State Building, and also,
The World Trade Center. I took lots of photos. I
remember that there was a beautiful exhibit at the WTC
and took some photos. I can never return now and visit
the way it was. But things will NEVER EVER be the
same. What we all had was special. But when something
takes that away from the citizens of America, we all
suffer though in different degrees, but we all suffer
in one way or another. Things will never be the same,
ever again!




With Hope and Prayers To All

>From A Concerned Yet Proud Citizen

Valerie Ann Thomas