Thursday's News Reflections
Thursday's news reflections on September 11's horrific details elicited memories which have become seared in most American's minds. That recounting, likely, was a reminder of where one was and what one was doing as the terrorism unfolded. Etched in those reminders are the heart-rending emotions felt as the full extent of the day's tragedies unfolded and details became known. Mingled with my personal memories is a second set of recollections that are in stark contrast to those caused by the evil perpetrated that day.
My "where" was Andrews Air Force Base's Fisher House in Washington, where my wife and I had lodging. Fisher Houses are located on the grounds of major military installations and provide temporary lodging for families of critically ill and injured military personnel. This was truly the bleakest time for my family as our son was in a life-threatening condition at Walter Reed Hospital. Just as we were leaving base to see him on that fateful morning the earth-shaking boom of F-16s halted our departure. Their thunderous roar, the screech of the base's alarm sirens, and the flurry of activity that within 90 seconds took Andrews from peace to war evidenced the gravest of situations. Such gravity was confirmed by the billowing smoke coming from the Pentagon building, the scurrying of people and traffic in the alarmed city, and by the presence of fully armed troops accompanied by guard dogs manning Walter Reed's entrances that we encountered upon arrival at the hospital.
Once inside, the day's experience darkened even more as we saw preparations being made for admitting those gravely injured in the Pentagon attack. All of which could all be seen from windows on our son's floor.
Witnessing firsthand the terrible results of the brutal attack coupled with our own family's grief combined for a day drained of emotion. This made our return to Andrew's late that evening all the more memorable. For in the midst of the day's chaos, the charged emotions on the military base, and the readiness required by the security assigned to Air Force One headquarters - under such conditions - members of our son's unit exhibited character ordinarily attributed to families. As we passed each security checkpoint, members of his unit asked how we were and inquired, with evident emotion, about our son's well being. Upon entering our housing unit, we were advised about his commander's call regarding our and our son's welfare. Simultaneously, we were told that members of his squadron, who earlier that morning flew those F-16s and secured the Washington base, had a prepared meal for us in the kitchen.
Talk about a day filled with contrasting human behavior! We saw evidence of the worst in human nature as well as the best: total disregard of others and people caring for others, thinking outside themselves and coming together as one positive force through every day actions.
Given the needs and challenges confronting individuals and families, along with the opportunities available for improving and addressing those issues, the idea of working together as one is just as needed now as it was seven years ago. It was the theme of last weekend's countywide United Way Day of Caring activities, which involved 700+ volunteers. That same sentiment is captured in the theme adopted by our United Way board as the standard by which our agency will serve the community: "Live United."
That brand will be enacted in several ways. One is underway already in this year's fundraising effort. The money raised in this communitywide effort will provide the pool of financial resources that will be directed to address the needs and issues identified by the community as most impacting people's lives. In addition to financial support, our Live United work will seek to enlist volunteers to assist in collaborating on planning and enacting efforts to positively impact the community and people's lives. And once those impact areas are identified and committed to, our Live United effort will ask volunteers and the community to advocate with us for answers and efforts that better Lorain County.
Live United means to give, volunteer and advocate.
As printed in The Chronicle-Telegram 9/13/08
My "where" was Andrews Air Force Base's Fisher House in Washington, where my wife and I had lodging. Fisher Houses are located on the grounds of major military installations and provide temporary lodging for families of critically ill and injured military personnel. This was truly the bleakest time for my family as our son was in a life-threatening condition at Walter Reed Hospital. Just as we were leaving base to see him on that fateful morning the earth-shaking boom of F-16s halted our departure. Their thunderous roar, the screech of the base's alarm sirens, and the flurry of activity that within 90 seconds took Andrews from peace to war evidenced the gravest of situations. Such gravity was confirmed by the billowing smoke coming from the Pentagon building, the scurrying of people and traffic in the alarmed city, and by the presence of fully armed troops accompanied by guard dogs manning Walter Reed's entrances that we encountered upon arrival at the hospital.
Once inside, the day's experience darkened even more as we saw preparations being made for admitting those gravely injured in the Pentagon attack. All of which could all be seen from windows on our son's floor.
Witnessing firsthand the terrible results of the brutal attack coupled with our own family's grief combined for a day drained of emotion. This made our return to Andrew's late that evening all the more memorable. For in the midst of the day's chaos, the charged emotions on the military base, and the readiness required by the security assigned to Air Force One headquarters - under such conditions - members of our son's unit exhibited character ordinarily attributed to families. As we passed each security checkpoint, members of his unit asked how we were and inquired, with evident emotion, about our son's well being. Upon entering our housing unit, we were advised about his commander's call regarding our and our son's welfare. Simultaneously, we were told that members of his squadron, who earlier that morning flew those F-16s and secured the Washington base, had a prepared meal for us in the kitchen.
Talk about a day filled with contrasting human behavior! We saw evidence of the worst in human nature as well as the best: total disregard of others and people caring for others, thinking outside themselves and coming together as one positive force through every day actions.
Given the needs and challenges confronting individuals and families, along with the opportunities available for improving and addressing those issues, the idea of working together as one is just as needed now as it was seven years ago. It was the theme of last weekend's countywide United Way Day of Caring activities, which involved 700+ volunteers. That same sentiment is captured in the theme adopted by our United Way board as the standard by which our agency will serve the community: "Live United."
That brand will be enacted in several ways. One is underway already in this year's fundraising effort. The money raised in this communitywide effort will provide the pool of financial resources that will be directed to address the needs and issues identified by the community as most impacting people's lives. In addition to financial support, our Live United work will seek to enlist volunteers to assist in collaborating on planning and enacting efforts to positively impact the community and people's lives. And once those impact areas are identified and committed to, our Live United effort will ask volunteers and the community to advocate with us for answers and efforts that better Lorain County.
Live United means to give, volunteer and advocate.
As printed in The Chronicle-Telegram 9/13/08
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