email744.xml

email744.xml

born-digital

email

unknown

yes

2002-09-11

Today we are all Americans


Dear Klaus and Kerstin:
Thank you so much for your very caring and inspiring message. We feel the
same
way that you do. Bruce and I returned yesterday from Europe and there were
many
different emotions upon arriving in the United States and New York. On our
approach to JFK airport, we circled out quite far over the water and then
banked
over the East River side of Manhattan on our way in. The sky still holds a
haze
and we could see the Statue of Liberty and then the tip of Manhattan, where
the
remains of the World Trade Center buildings were visible, marked by a rising
plume of smoke. It was very sad and eery to see the altered skyline. The
Empire
State Building has resumed its former position of ascendency, but an
anchoring
point was clearly missing. Most of the people on our flight were Americans
who
had been stranded in Europe and were just trying to get home by going
through
New York---they broke into applause when we landed on American soil. JFK
Airport
was practically deserted (compared to the usual situation) and we had to
have
our passports ready before we were even able to get off the plane. People at
U.S. Customs were very welcoming to us and none of the passengers seemed to
mind
the enhanced security. On the way to Manhattan where my apartment is, the
traffic was really reduced and alot of cars (particularly taxis) had
American
flags flying. Passing by apartments and shops on the way home, there were
American flags of all sizes being displayed from windows and flags at
half-mast
everywhere. On the streets, people have posted photographs and notices about
loved ones who are missing, in case anyone has any information. There are
flowers and little memorials outside of various fire stations and people are
being very generous, donating whatever they can to various funds for
remaining
family members and helping wherever possible. Mayor Rudy Guiliani has been
tireless and inspirational and is not ready to give up hope that some of the
trapped people could still be alive---neither are we. In general, people are
being very thoughtful to each other and you just have a sense of camaraderie
with passer-bys as you walk down the street. Security is definitely being
heightened and, for example, our office building in mid-town Manhattan
(which
was quite lax) is requiring everyone to show their work identification card
on
entering or re-entering the building and we can't receive any packages in
the
offices. We have to go to the lobby and open them there (we are on the 41st
floor of this 65 story building). I think there is also the sense of
"waiting
for the other shoe to drop"---so people are being extra cautious. At the
moment,
there is a sense of determination, but also of fragility and concern for
ourselves and for the whole world. For those of us lucky enough to have
children, we want to have this beautiful world be a safe place for them to
live
in and for their children and future generations, as well.
While we were in Europe--either by direct contact or by e-mail---we had so
many
communications from people who shared their sense of overwhelming disbelief
and
outrage that this could have happened and who expressed their solidarity
with
Americans in this tragic event. As you noted in your wonderful message,
people
have already come closer together. We have much hope that the world will
pull
together on this one and that we, as a world, will be able to overcome this
evil
of terrorism and its root causes.
Thanks again, Klaus, for taking the time to think about us and write to us.
Best regards,
Anita, Bruce and Craig

9-18-2001

Today we are all Americans