News of NYC & DC Disaster Mission
We have just heard from Todd Van Beck, working DMort team at the World Trade Center
ALLIANCE magazine call for articles Why What We Do Matters
In a message dated 9/14/01 2:46:57 PM, ICFA@xmr3.com writes:
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ICFA WIRELESS - September 14, 2001 Special Edition Vol. 2 No. 21
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THIS IS A SPECIAL EDITION OF WIRELESS NEWSLETTER:
NOTE: The ICFA Web Site now contains a compendium of information gathered to help industry members during this time of national trial, updated several times daily: http://www.icfa.org/emergency.htm
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How is your cemetery or funeral home meeting your community's need to express grief and concern for the victims of the tragic events of September 11? What types of special services or assistance is your company providing? What are your thoughts on this difficult situation? Let Wireless know: mailto:wireless@icfa.org. Contributed ideas are archived on the ICFA Web Site at http://www.icfa.org/emergency.htm
*Wyuka Cemetery & Funeral Home of Lincoln, Nebraska has donated 100 United States Flags that will line the streets of Lincoln in honor of the victims of this horrific crime. Individuals from several colleges and all ethnic groups will be standing with these flags showing unity and support. We have a 5k Run scheduled for September 22, 2001 which was to benefit a local Not-For-Profit agency but they have asked that all of the proceeds go to The American Red Cross to assist in any way needed for those in New York and Washington D.C. We have been overwhelmed with calls with people wanting to donate money. I have also talked with a good friend of mine, Mr. Joe Dispenza, Vice President of Forest Lawn Cemetery of Buffalo New York and he has told me they are working with the cemetery industry in New York and will let us know what we can do to help.
Sincerely,
Michael C. Hutchinson, CCE
Chief Executive Officer
Wyuka Cemetery & Funeral Home
*"We have set up a Book of Condolences at our Resource Center for people to express their emotions, feelings, and prayers for the victims of the disaster. We have also had flag-themed prayer cards printed up with a prayer in memory of the victims on the reverse for people to take with them. There is little most of us can do to tangibly help the victims and their families. But I feel that those of us far from the scene of the tragedy have a feeling of helplessness in light of what has happened. At least in this way people can express their feelings. We will forward the book on to the people of New York through the Mayor's office as well as a copy to the Pentagon."
Dick Lamb
Richard Lamb Funeral Service & Resource Center
Westmont, IL
630/964-7163
*"We at PSM feel very strongly about helping out in any way possible.
Although we are a manufacturer/wholesaler of memorial portraits, we still are very close to the Funeral Trade and wish to be of assistance in any way, shape or form. We are open to any suggestions. Please contact John Tittel, V.P. Operations, by e-mail at mailto:jtittel@psm.qc.ca by phone toll-free at 1-866-810-9500, or by fax at 450-436-5174."Thank you.
*"Some months ago I was at the offices of our investment bankers, Fiduciary Trust, housed on the 96th floor of the World Trade Center II building. On Tuesday I was consumed with the vision of the facility collapsing and the loss of so many talented people, some of whom I knew personally.
When the call came in from one of the bankers, I was stunned. Of the 600 employees, all but 20 are accounted for. These people survived . Thanks for keeping us informed."
Peter A. Blacksberg mailto:pb@riversidecemetery.org
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DEALING WITH GRIEF
Excerpts from Washington Post interview - helping adults, children cope with grief:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A23679-2001Sep13.html
*What can we do as a nation to overcome the horrible emotional trauma from this tragedy?
1. Take things a day at a time, as much as possible. Get back to the normal routine of living to show terrorists this won't tear us away from what our country's about.
2. Pull together. Do small things like giving blood and donating to relief agencies.
3. Spend time with family and friends. People who are extremely upset should turn the TV off. If you keep watching TV, the harder it will be to shake the lasting images. Read a book or find another distraction.
*How do you deal with stress and emotions in the office? I am at work today choking back tears while we all try to return to business as usual. I feel guilty for crying when I'm not the one who lost friends and loved ones.
That's a totally normal and natural response. Most people are having private moments at work. Survivors are often concerned with "why me" and "why them" and "why do good people die for no reason." It makes us aware of how tenuous life is, that life can end.
An event like this gives people an event to rethink their own lives. For instance, if you've thought about volunteering and haven't done it, this is a wake-up call. Or maybe you have not spent enough time with your family. This is a time to make some positive changes so something good can come from something bad.
People need a chance to ventilate about their feeling and often getting it out is the first step to letting go.
*How do you console a family member whose loved one is missing?
Listen. Don't say anything. Saying "it'll be okay," or "I know how you feel" can backfire. Right now that's not what a victim wants to hear. They want to know people are there and care about them. Be there, be present, listen. The clergy refer to it as a "ministry of presence." You don't need to do anything, just be there or have them know you're available.
What role do you believe churches or grief counselors should have in helping with the tragedy and emotions?
The main thing that people who are doing counseling need to do is listen. There's nothing to say or do that will make people feel better, there are a lot of things that could make them feel worse or angry. So the trick is to listen.
There's a process called debriefing -- for people who had intense reactions. Get them together and approach an organization like the Red Cross, and get a chance to process that with a group. But even without a counselor, peer support is valuable through the crisis.
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INFORMATION AND HOW TO HELP:
For Useful Links and Contact Information, See
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,34207,00.html
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/fc/US/Emergency_Information/
Following is contact information regarding general ways that you can help:
¥ American Red Cross, cash donations - (800) HELP-NOW;
http://www.redcross.org/donate/donate.html
¥ American Red Cross, blood donations - (800) 448-3543
¥ To make an appointment with America's Blood Centers - (888) BLOOD-88
¥ Salvation Army, cash donations - (800) SAL-ARMY
¥ United Way, cash donations - (212) 251-4035
¥ Doctors willing to volunteer should call (518) 431-7600.
¥ Blood donors in upstate New York may call (800) 448-3543
or (800) 272-4543; donors in the New York City region may
call (800) 692-5663 or (800) 933-2566.
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EDITED ICFA WIRELESS September 18, 2001
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ICFA CONTACTS FEDERAL/STATE AGENCIES TO ASSIST
On the day after the attacks at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, ICFA President Gregory J. Easley, CCE, sent the following message to the federal and state agencies responding to the rescue efforts:
"Please be advised that the resources of the International Cemetery and Funeral Association (ICFA) are available to assist the recovery efforts by facilitating communication with cemeteries and funeral homes throughout North America for the families of the victims of yesterday's attack against the United States. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families, and also with the firefighters, police and rescue teams. Please contact us if we can be of assistance. Thank you."
ICFA COORDINATES EFFORTS WITH STATE ASSOCIATIONS
In the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the ICFA has contacted the cemetery and funeral director trade associations in New York and Virginia. The associations are prepared to cooperate with authorities and interact with each other in coordinating assistance sought from member funeral homes and cemeteries.
The recovery operation at the Pentagon has turned out to be largely a military operation with the human remains taken to Dover Air Force Base.
The recovery work at the World Trade Center is progressing much more slowly than originally anticipated. Of the approximately 5,000 individuals listed as missing at the site, comparatively few remains have been found to date.
INDUSTRY MEMBERS RESPOND TO CRISIS
ICFA member cemeteries and funeral homes have been working to meet their communities' needs to express grief and concern for the victims of the terrorist attacks of September 11. The ICFA Web site at http://www.icfa.org/emergency.htm is being updated daily with input from members regarding their efforts along with other relevant news and information.
If you would like to share ideas on special services or assistance your company is providing, please email WIRELESS at mailto:wireless@icfa.org so we can share your input with others in the industry.
MORE
In a message dated 9/16/01 1:46:49 PM, wbeebe@njsfda.org writes:
John:
Before your online chat tonight, I thought I'd give you an update on what I know regarding volunteerism and the City of New York disaster.
The New York State Funeral Directors Association is onsite at LaGuardia Airport and is working with the federal DMORT teams to make themselves available to the City of New York to support the forensic, identification, administration and release processes. Additionally, both the Metropolitan (NYC) Funeral Directors Association and the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association have made themselves available to provide association staff and to coordinate volunteer recruitment should that be necessary.
However, unlike other venues in the past, the City has the immediate resources and expertise to manage this process. There has been some very limited recruitment of NYC area funeral directors to support the effort, but that's about it.
Beyond that, it remains unclear what role, if any, beyond serving the needs of family members who consign the care of their lost ones to funeral directors, there will be either for volunteer funeral directors and their respective associations.
While this could change, as of right now the best thing funeral directors can do, besides serving the families that need them, is sit tight, perhaps fax or email their willingness to provide assistance to their associations (please do not call, our phone lines are jammed). The worst thing anyone can do is show up on scene unbidden. There is nothing for them to do.
On behalf of NYSFDA, MFDA and NJSFDA, our thanks to the generous offers of help and assistance from all.
Wilson H. Beebe Jr., Executive Director
Metropolitan (NYC) Funeral Directors Association
New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association
wbeebe@njsfda.org
MORE
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NFDA ENews Alert
September 11, 2001
Volume 2, Issue 16
IN THIS ISSUE...
NFDA RESPONSE TO NATIONAL DISASTERS
As you probably know, the United States has been experiencing terrorists' attacks this morning and the number of casualties, while unknown, is enormous.
NFDA has been in contact with New York State Executive Director Bonnie Tippy and surrounding associations. NFDA is standing by and is a resource for any help it can provide state associations and funeral directors serving the families of those affected by the disaster.
Funeral directors interested in volunteering their help can email NFDA at nfda@nfda.org. Information will be updated regularly on NFDA Online, www.nfda.org.
We appreciate all those willing and able to help and we will let you know what help we can give these associations and the country when we know something more.
MORE
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ICFA WIRELESS September 12, 2001 Special Edition Vol. 2 No. 19
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THIS IS A SPECIAL EDITION OF WIRELESS NEWSLETTER:
In response to the current national emergency, ICFA is working to gather and circulate information to assist industry members. Yesterday's attacks on the United States have affected us, as Americans, in an unprecedented way and will present an unprecedented situation for funeral homes and cemeteries that will provide services for the many victims. Industry members in the New York City area may be affected the most substantially as they are called on to help deal with the horrific situation there, but providers in the greater Washington D.C. area will also apparently be faced with a large number of victims as will those throughout the country who provide services for the many plane passengers killed.
Phone calls and email messages have come to ICFA headquarters during the past 24 hours, from industry members across America seeking to help in any way they can.
ICFA will serve as a conduit in the coming days and weeks to help make information available to those who need it. This will be accomplished primarily through the WIRELESS newsletter at the outset, as well as via fax and telephone as those services are available (as of this morning there are still problems with phone service in parts of the Northeast and the West Coast).
You can reach ICFA by email at mailto:wireless@icfa.org. ICFA staff of course will be available to take phone calls also: The ICFA tollfree number is 18006457700 and the toll number for ICFA headquarters is 7033918400.
Our thought and prayers go out to the many people who have been affected these terrible acts the countless people who are the direct casualties of the attacks, family and friends whose loved ones have been hurt or who are currently unreachable, the many emergency personnel who are risking their lives to deal with the situation, government officials, national leaders and others who were targeted, and the members of the nation's military.
ICFA member Todd Van Beck has been called to New York as a member of the morticians disaster team and is currently working in the south end of Manhattan. Todd has offered the following advice for industry members who will be dealing directly with this tragedy:
*Mobilize your staff to be prepared for an large number of casualties. Cancel vacations and limit time off for the next two weeks.
*Talk to your staff about the extreme nature of survivors' reactions. The compounded grief of a mass fatality situation will be intense for those who have lost family members and friends.
*Be prepared to provide all grief counseling resources that you have available.
*Make your employees aware that this will not be business as usual. The customers you serve, and the entire nation, have been through an extraordinarily traumatic experience. The eyes of the nation and the world will be on everyone involved in helping the victims, and there will be intense media scrutiny of how this situation is handled, so it is imperative to avoid mistakes and ensure that there are no cavalier attitudes among your staff.
*While prepared to provide the most caring service to your customers, do not promote discounted services or products even though you might have the best intentions. This will appear opportunistic. If you wish to do so, it would be appropriate to provide free services or burials to victims under the age of 12 in this circumstance if you do not already have such a policy.
*For those in the affected areas and around the country who are looking for a way to help, sit tight until the authorities who are managing the crisis can let us know what people need. For now, if you are inclined to contribute to the effort, the most useful contribution may be a donation of funds to the relief agencies serving the injured and displaced.
ICFA will communicate more detailed information about how you can help and which agencies are most in need, as that information becomes available.
We do know that there is a desperate need for blood donations in the New York area. Please encourage your employees, friends, etc. to give blood.
ICFA President Greg Easley and Presidentelect Bill Wright encourage all industry members to work together to assist the many victims and help our country work through this crisis.
MORE
In a message dated 9/11/01 12:14:05 PM, North Carolina Funeral Directors Association writes:
A Notice to the Membership
Robert Moody, President
With the events of the past several hours, we find a deep sense of sadness and confusion at the devastating tragedy which is surrounding us. The magnitude of loss and grief and destruction can not yet be measured.
Please know that NCFDA will provide any information which may be of use and value to our members. At this point it is not known how the members of our association may be needed. We are aware that the NFDA DMort Response Team has been put on standby. Our office is recording the names of volunteer who may wish to register.
It should be noted that out of respect, I am asking that the meeting scheduled for this evening in Williamston be cancelled. If anyone on your staff was planning to attend, please advise them of this cancellation.
I know you join me in offering prayers and deep concern for the safety and welfare of the thousands of victims.
Expect updates from NCFDA!
John, Great issue of the newsletter. Good info, and some very moving correspondence!
FYI, here is an update to ICFA's Todd Van Beck info that you posted. Todd revised some of his thoughts after spending a day at Ground Zero....
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ICFA WIRELESS &endash; September 13, 2001 Special Edition Vol. 2 No. 20
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THIS IS A SPECIAL EDITION OF WIRELESS NEWSLETTER:
We have just heard from Todd Van Beck, who is working with the government DMort team at the World Trade Center bombing site in Manhattan, and he has passed along some important new information and observations that we think will be helpful for industry members in the New York City area: *The recovery effort is under control but progressing extremely slowly, as most of us have seen on the news programs, and the DMort team and federal and state officials are still in the process of determining the number of casualties and the nature of service that may be required from the funeral service and cemetery community. It appears now that it will likely be a long time before such a determination can be made. *Because of the extremely slow pace of the recovery, it is very unlikely that any one property will be inundated all at once with a need for services.
*Funeral homes and cemeteries in the area DO NOT need to worry about stocking up on supplies or products in order to provide services for the victims. God willing, you will not need these things, but because of the time factor and the way the recovery is being managed, if you need any additional supplies to provide services you will have time to get them.
*For those who wish to assist or contribute their services in any way, the only thing to do for now is continue to sit tight until we know what type of additional help from our industry is needed. (See below for information on general ways you can assist the victims).
We are very grateful to Todd for taking the time from what must be an enormously difficult and stressful task to provide this information and update us on how things are progressing in New York.
How is your cemetery or funeral home meeting your community's need to express grief and concern for the victims of the tragic events of September 11? What types of special services or assistance is your company providing? Let Wireless know mailto:wireless@icfa.org and we will share your activities and ideas with others in the industry, in Wireless and on the ICFA web site (www.icfa.org). Following are some examples of what members are doing thus far:
*Tom Daly of St. Michael Cemetery in Boston, MA, reports that in response to the large number of donors seeking to give blood he has offered the local Red Cross the use of his chapel/multipurpose facility. Also, they are flying the flag at halfmast and have lit memorial candles for the victims.
*Ginger Barr of Gracelawn/Fairlawn Cemeteries and Funeral Home in the Kansas CityTopeka area, says "We stand ready to assist. We are hearing on T.V to wait and give blood. In 4 weeks, the country will need more blood and a person can't give blood for 8 weeks once they have given . . . I think if we (the industry) can move people that are stranded in various cities due to transportation problems we can be of great help."
*"We have opened free group and individual permanent Memorials for those who perished in these several disasters." www.icfa.org
*"Robert Nelms here we are at WaittNelms Funeral Home in North Central New Jersey. We stand ready to help in any way possible......The names of the people wishing to volunteer their time is as follows:"
Robert Nelms www.icfa.org
John E. Hermann
Michael Grandi
David Colt
Drew Terasak
*"I am a licensed funeral director/embalmer so please let me know if
my services are needed.
Sincerely,
Dale J. Bachmeier (www.icfa.org)
St. Paul, MN
*"Fairhaven Memorial Park would like to help in any way possible. Please let us know what the needs are. If anyone from Orange County is going to go for the relief effort, our local newspaper would like to go. The newspaper can be reach by calling Keith Sharon at the Orange County Register (714) 7962428.
Thank you,
Marla J. Noel" www.icfa.org
HOW TO HELP:
Following is contact information regarding general ways that you can help:
¥ American Red Cross, cash donations &emdash; (800) HELPNOW; http://www.redcross.org/donate/donate.html
¥ American Red Cross, blood donations &emdash; (800) 4483543
¥ To make an appointment with America's Blood Centers &emdash;(888) BLOOD88
¥ Salvation Army, cash donations &emdash; (800) SALARMY
¥ United Way, cash donations &emdash; (212) 2514035
¥ Doctors willing to volunteer should call (518) 4317600.
¥ Blood donors in upstate New York may call (800) 4483543 or (800) 2724543; donors in the New York City region may call (800) 6925663 or (800) 9332566.
In a message dated 9/19/01 12:20:09 AM, noreply@nfda.org writes:
NFDA ENews Alert
September 18, 2001
Volume 2, Issue 20
IN THIS ISSUE...
September 18, 2001
To: Members of the Funeral Service Community
Fr: NFDA John Carmon, President and Christine Pepper, Acting Chief Executive Officer
NFDA ADDRESSES THE MEDIA
Over the last 48 hours, NFDA has been a resource for and proactive with the media, communicating the efforts our association has undertaken since the terrorist attacks, as well as the goodwill occurring among funeral directors across the country.
NFDA President John Carmon has been interviewed by reporters and covered within the following national media outlets: CNN Headline News, CNN Radio News, NBC Radio News, MSNBC, Bloomberg Radio, the Associated Press and The New York Times. The Associated Press and Bloomberg Radio are wire services, which distribute the information nationally.
During a satellite television and radio media event, John was interviewed and covered in at least a dozen major markets, spanning cities from San Diego to Boston. NFDA is now also working with all news networks, major wire services, newspapers in the top 20 markets, and national magazines.
In all contacts, we will continue stressing these key messages:
1.) that funeral directors share a common quality of caring and giving in their communities daily, as well as nationally in time of disaster;
2.) that NFDA and more than 1500 of its members are working and standing by to assist federal and local authorities; and
3.) the importance of ceremony for everyone to help bring some order to this chaos.
GET INVOLVED WITH THE NFDA 911 RELIEF FUND
The proceeds of the 911 Relief Fund will be applied toward the enormous expense of the recovery efforts in New York, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania. The fund will help to defray some of the travel, housing, equipment, and other logistical expenses that have been or will be incurred in these extensive recovery of remains and identification efforts.
Since NFDA is not a taxexempt charitable institution, donations to the 911 Relief Fund are not tax deductible charitable donations. Contributions would be regarded, however, as legitimate business expenses.
Any excess proceeds in the 911 Relief Fund will be donated to other charitable relief efforts or to memorials for the victims of this tragedy. Please support this united effort. You can donate online via our secured server at www.nfda.org/september11/donate or send the donations collected by your funeral home to:
National Funeral Directors Association
NFDA 911 Relief Fund
P.O. Box 1451
Milwaukee, WI 532011451
ADVERTISEMENTS NOW AVAILABLE
Two ads are available for you to run locally. You can direct your local publications to www.nfda.org/september11/ads where the ads can be downloaded.
> The "NFDA 911 Relief Fund" ad introduces our fund and directs viewers to contact their local funeral home to make a donation. Space is provided within the ad for your funeral home logo. If you would prefer donations to be sent directly to NFDA, please contact us for a nonspecific NFDA 911 Relief Fund ad slick.
> The "Thoughts & Prayers" ad was created to express personal condolences to your community. Space is provided within the ad for your funeral home logo.
NFDA is also printing cameraready ad slicks if you are interested in receiving the ads in that format. You will be notified later this week when the ad slicks become available.
UPDATES TO THE NFDA WEBSITE ARE HAPPENING DAILY
Visit NFDA Online at www.nfda.org and click on "Our Nation Grieves; Our Community Unites" (www.nfda.org/september11).
MEDIA Q&A AND TIPS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE
Many of you may have been approached or will be approached in the days ahead by your local media concerning this national tragedy. Two new documents are now online to help you. NFDA has put together a list of commonly asked media questions, as well as suggested responses at www.nfda.org/september11/tips. Also available here are "Tips for Successfully Working with the Media."
FORWARD THE DRAFT RESOLUTION TODAY
NFDA has drafted a Resolution, which will be presented to the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate regarding a National Day of Unity on November 4, 2001. We ask you to please send the resolution to your members of Congress. A copy of the drafted resolution can be found at www.nfda.org/september11/resolution. You may also obtain a copy of it by calling 8002286332.
OFFERINGS FROM FUNERAL SERVICE SUPPLIERS
Many suppliers have contacted NFDA and expressed they would like to help funeral directors serving the families of those affected by the disaster. A full list is available at www.nfda.org/september11/tips.
KEEP COLLECTING SIGNATURES
Several NFDA members have inquired as to where memorial and register books can be sent. At this time, NFDA encourages you to continue collecting signatures. You will be notified at a later date when the appropriate location to forward the books has been identified.
In a message dated 9/19/01 9:30:26 AM, jcronley@jwyopp.com writes:
ALLIANCE magazine call for articles Why What We Do Matters
Essays In The Wake of The September 11 Attacks
November's issue will be composed of essays which underscore what we have said all along... that there is a deep and abiding human need to reinforce the sanctity, brevity, and importance of human life. We are taking care to not sensationalize this unprecedented act as a macabre sales opportunity, but to reiterate that the funeral and memorial ease the suffering of survivors and reinforce the value of life.
We are seeking essays from virtually anyone who want to provide one... funeral director, vendor, any member of the public who can meaningfully speak to the topic. We actively seek essays from leaders both within and without the funeral and memorialization community, even critics of our service as it exists today. Even the harshest critics seem to concede the basic human value of funeral services and memorialization.
Rough guidelines are as follows:
Limit length to 2,000 words
Essays should not reiterate the "company line" of how what we do provides a necessary outlet etc., etc., but how this experience, unprecedented in human history, creates a new American, and perhaps a Worldwide, awareness of life's sanctity and the unifying, healing power of coming together to celebrate life.
While your personal feelings, much as ours, may necessarily be intertwined with your faith in God and your religious affiliation, we are not seeking to provide a forum for evangelization. We will be actively seeking essays from Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Hindu funeral directors, as well as other faiths. Just as Tuesday's death toll did not choose whether Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus or anyone else died, neither should we restrict our views to the prevailing American sentiment.
We are seeking personal views. Be as personal as you possibly can within our guidelines. Ours is an intimate service delivered from one person to another, not a product of corporate standardization.
Interested in participating? Call Mary at 8008499677 or email her at mcronley@jwyopp.com
Deadline is September 27
Anything you could do will be much appreciated John.
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In a message dated 9/19/01 11:56:02 PM, JAY in New York City writes:
Affluent Egyptians in Cairo Gloat
Over Attacks While Eating Big Macs
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By YAROSLAV TROFIMOV
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
CAIRO, Egypt -- As the Bush administration works to draw moderate Arab states into its coalition against terrorism, it must consider the mood at a gleaming McDonald's outlet here on Arab League Street, a cosmopolitan avenue in a well-heeled neighborhood of Cairo.
Sandwiched between a Rolex watch store and a BMW car dealership, the restaurant is packed with affluent university students dressed in American garb and aware of the billions of dollars in foreign aid that the U.S. has pumped into Egypt. It's the sort of place where one would expect to find sympathy for the American cause.
But listen to what they're saying.
Sitting under a poster advertising "Crispy and Delicious McWings," Radwa Abdallah, an 18-year-old university student, is explaining that she rejoiced when she learned that thousands of Americans had probably died in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. "Everyone celebrated," Ms. Abdallah says, as her girlfriends giggle. "People honked in the streets, cheering that finally America got what it truly deserved."
Fellow student Raghda El Mahrouqi agrees: "I just hope there were a lot of Jews in that building," she says. Sherihan Ammar, an aspiring doctor in elaborate makeup and tight T-shirt, sums up her feelings this way: "America was just too full of itself," she says with a dismissive gesture.
Many Americans and Europeans have been shocked by television footage of Palestinians celebrating the terrorist attacks. But such feelings are hardly limited to Palestinians who live on the West Bank and Gaza and find themselves, all too often, looking down the barrels of American-made weapons. A trip around the capital of Egypt, one of America's main Mideast allies and the biggest Muslim recipient of U.S. foreign aid, shows that educated, relatively wealthy and seemingly Americanized Arabs just as openly express their joy at the carnage in the U.S.
Those sentiments, shared by about half of several dozen people interviewed in Cairo, also provide a clue to the motives of the hijackers themselves. They, too, appear to have come from relatively well-to-do families and had little in common with the desperate and usually uneducated Palestinians who make up most of the suicide bombers in Israel.
Although all Arab governments except Iraq's have condemned the U.S. attacks, the prevailing view even among those horrified by the killings is that what happened in New York and Washington isn't all that different from what America itself has inflicted on Iraqis, Palestinians, Sudanese and other Muslims. That sentiment isn't limited to Arab states, either:
Opinion surveys conducted in Greece, a NATO ally, indicate that anywhere between 5% and 17% of those polled believe that the U.S. somehow "deserved" the attacks, according to the Greek media.
In the Arab world, public opinion doesn't have the same importance as in the West: No Arab ruler has to worry about winning Western-style elections. But there's only so much that the region's governments can do to help the U.S. without risking serious upheaval at home. "Any Arab country that will ally itself with the U.S. will incur public-opinion losses, and will see its stability undermined," warns Gehad Auda, professor of international relations at Egypt's Helwan University.
Lawyers and Editors
Irritation with American foreign policy runs right through Egyptian society. Sameh Ashour, head of the influential Egyptian Lawyers Association, greets visitors in a building whose facade is draped with a black banner that reads, "Jerusalem Calls! Where Are the Muslims?" He dismisses the attacks in New York and Washington as a "natural result" of American foreign policy. "The U.S. itself practices terrorism when this suits it around the world," he says, "and tries to prevent terrorism when it doesn't suit it."
Mohammed Tantawi, editor of the government-controlled Akhbar Al-Youm newspaper, wrote this weekend that the attacks should be seen as a rather ordinary event. After all, he wrote, "thousands of innocent people, including many children, women and elderly citizens are being killed every day" in Palestinian territories by U.S.-supplied Israeli jets.
This might be a gross exaggeration: About 630 Palestinians, including gunmen and suicide bombers, were killed in the 12 months since the latest round of the Palestinian uprising began, while Israel counts about 170 deaths among its own. But that's exactly how the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is perceived by many in the Arab world. That perception is fueled by independent Arabic-language satellite TV channels, which tend to give gruesome details of Palestinian suffering and pay scant attention to victims on the Israeli side.
More Guarded in Marrakech Even in thoroughly Western-oriented countries like Morocco, a nation far removed from the Israeli-Palestinian struggle and a one-time applicant to join the old European Community, many voice sneaking admiration for the terrorists. In a convenience store in Er Rachidia, a sand-swept town at the threshold of the Sahara, the first television images of the World Trade Center towers engulfed in smoke were greeted with a roar of approval. "Of course we are happy," says the storekeeper as he invited a group of foreigners to stop and watch the news.
In Marrakech, the hub of Morocco's tourist industry, reactions were only a little more guarded. "What happened is a terrible thing for all the people involved," says Abdou Hamaoui, a 29-year-old civil engineer sipping a glass of lemon Schweppes at the Cafe Glacier on the main square of the city's old town. "But the U.S. government deserves this."
Herwig Bartels, a former German ambassador to Morocco who now runs the lavish Riad El Cadi inn, says that sentiment reflects "a very strong resentment toward American politics, which is fuelled daily by television reports showing Palestinians being killed." He thinks initial jubilation among Moroccans has waned "now [that] people have seen the civilian side of the attacks." Yet he's still bracing for a drastic decline in American tourists.
'Two Separate Things'
Back in Cairo, those cheering America's loss in Cairo see no contradiction with the fact that they also eat American foods, wear American clothes and watch American movies -- nor with the fact that their country receives $2 billion (2.17 billion euros) in U.S. aid each year. "It's OK to eat at McDonald's because it is managed by Egyptians," says Ms. Abdallah, the 18-year-old university student. "But in general, I do try to avoid American companies -- because, you know, every Saturday they give money to the Jews."
In an outdoor cafe a short drive away, Ahmed Ahmad Tarif, a 21-year-old business-administration student, is wearing a Nike T-shirt. He bought it, he says, because it's good quality, even though he believes that "America stands for racism and for being against freedom and democracy."
Fellow student Ahmed Hussein, bespectacled and with a thin mustache, reflects for a moment when asked about U.S. economic assistance for Egypt. "The money we receive from America and the hatred we feel for America are two separate things," he finally says, "and should not be mixed
together."
--Alessandra Galloni in Marrakech, Morocco, contributed to this article.
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In a message dated 9/19/01 2:46:08 PM, Beacham in North Carolina writes:
Thoughts on the Aftermath
Beacham McDougald, CFSP
The terrorist attack on the World Trade Centers and the Pentagon stunned America and the world. How we react as funeral service professionals will tell the world and us much about our capabilities.
Many of nearly 6,000 killed or missing in the attack will undoubtedly remain just that . . . missing. Their mortal remains were either incinerated in fireball following the collisions or destroyed in the resulting collapse. Still, the families and friends will seek out some way to bring closure to a relationship that was dear to them. They will do this without a body or absolute verification that their loved one has indeed perished. Reportedly, it is expected to take fully six months to move all of the debris in New York and find what remains of the missing victims. The missing are a diverse group, thought to include over forty different nationalities. Truly, the tragedy touched the world.
How will this impact us as funeral directors? Most of us will not be called upon to perform services for any of them, but for those that are &endash; your actions have spoken and will speak loudly to the public.
Most services will be held without a body, again our most visible sign of death. How are we going to create valuable and meaningful services for families and friends during this life transition?
All of us are trained well into selling the value of a casket or vault, but truly . . . how many of us really know how to create a truly personal and meaningful service for the surviving friends and relatives? How many religious orders truly know how to create the same meaningful service versus those who follow a sometimes personally meaningless "order of service?"
This is a time where funeral service will prove or disprove to their communities and to our nation that we are compassionate and capable professionals. It will be a time where the true professional will spend extra time listening to the stories of the surviving families and friends, reaching a degree of personal knowledge and understanding of the decedent, and calling upon his or her creativity and knowledge to suggest meaningful and valuable service options to the survivors. After all, are we funeral service professionals or funeral merchandise vendors? Now is the time to prove we are the former.
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In a message dated 9/18/01 10:14:09 PM, dman7@home.com writes:
Dear Sir, When the Oklahoma City bombing happened I was asked to write something for the families that would not receive a body. At the time we thought there would be at least fifty bodies not identified. I wrote a small piece for those families and for the families who would not be able to view a body. Since there will be very few bodies viewed from New York and many bodies not found, and since the lack of a body or the inability to view adds to the pain and grief a family must face, I wanted to provide the same service for this tragedy.
I have written a small book to speak to this need. It will be published in a few days. We will have 10,000 copies available free to anyone who can help us with the distribution. We have some contacts ready to help. I will be speaking in the area in the near future and can make more contacts, but I wish all of the books could be distributed by funeral service. The books are not selfserving and will help people know how to memorialize their loved one in spite of the added burden.
If anyone wishes to help they can contact my company InSight Books Inc. P.O. Box 42467 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73123. Phone 4058109501. Fax 4058109504 email books@ionet.net. Thanks for helping get the word out.
Doug Manning
Doug Manning
InSight Books Inc.
4058109501
Helping People Help People
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In a message dated 9/18/01 9:25:11 PM, Susan in Texas writes:
I think you all are doing a fantastic job considering the situation. God Bless you all!
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In a message dated 9/17/01 10:12:38 AM, Michelle in Florida writes:
An open letter to a terrorist:
Well, you hit the World Trade Center, but you missed America. You hit the Pentagon,but you missed America. You used helpless American bodies, to take out other American bodies, but like a poor marksman, you STILL missed America.
Why? Because of something you guys will never understand. America isn't about a building or two, not about financial centers, not about military centers, America isn't about a place, America isn't even about a bunch of bodies.
America is about an IDEA. An idea, that you can go someplace where you can earn as much as you can figure out how to, live for the most part, like you envisioned living, and pursue Happiness. (No guarantees that you'll reach it, but you can sure try!)
Go ahead and whine your terrorist whine, and chant your terrorist litany:
"If you cannot see my point, then feel my pain." This concept is alien to Americans. We live in a country where we don't have to see your point. But you're free to have one. We don't have to listen to your speech. But you're free to say one. Don't know where you got the strange idea that everyone has to agree with you.
There's a spirit that tends to take over people who come to this country, looking for opportunity, looking for liberty, looking for freedom. Even if they misuse it.
You guys seem to be incapable of understanding that we don't live in America, America lives in US! American Spirit is what it's called. And killing a few thousand of us, or a few million of us, won't change it. Most of the time, it's a pretty happygolucky kind of Spirit. Until we're crossed in a cowardly manner, then it becomes an entirely different kind of
Spirit.
Wait until you see what we do with that Spirit, this time.
Sleep tight, if you can. We're coming.
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In a message dated 9/17/01 11:38:25 PM, Steve from Arizona writes:
Dear John,
In the midst of Tuesday, September 11th's horrible happenings, we received a call from our local hospital. A couple from England was visiting our area when the husband was stricken with a sudden heart attack and died. His wife was his only traveling companion, therefore the only person she knew in this country was in our embalming room.
We were contacted by a shipping service for whom we are the local agents. Of course with that Tuesday's tragedies, no planes were leaving the ground any time soon.
My wife (God bless her), couldn't take the thought of this woman being alone in a foreign country. She wasn't able to be with her and called a friend to take her to lunch, which she did. A call to a local cowboy music dinner theater produced a ticket for her. Soon others joined on and my wife had to fight to get back on her social calendar. She was able to attend the September 14th noon day services, invited by church members where her thoughts were probably a little more personal than most. Complete strangers kept her busy for all three meals a day while she was here. British Airways was now receiving passengers and freight and she and her late husband left for Manchester, England on Wednesday, September 18th.
Her comment to me was, "I am so overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and concern from everybody. Complete strangers were inviting into their home to stay or eat or go with them to many places, it is heartwarming". She says she will be back next year with some of her children to show them where their father died and where their mother was shown so much love.
On the day of our worst national tragedy, Americans should be proud of themselves. Love of humanity and great concern for each other will always lead us out of the darkness of evil deeds.
God Bless America.
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In a message dated 9/14/01 6:03:02 PM, Mike in Oklahoma writes: Just include this in in the next weekly update. Maybe soomeone out there knows the people involved. I heard that the bodies are being ferried over to Jersey.
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off the fax: Emergency Service Vehicles (police cars, fire trucks and Ambulances) rumored to be targets for theft by terrorists to serve a suicide bomb delivery. An interesting turn of events, the very next fax was a report of a stolen hearse in Boston.
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In a message dated 9/14/01 6:39:58 PM, AOL Member writes:
NAME (the National Association of Medical Examiners), many of whose members are also members of the College, has informed us that NAME has established a list of volunteers who are available if the Disaster Operational Mortuary Response Teams (DMORT) and other available resources are not sufficient. Appropriate agencies have been informed of this list.
The Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team (DMORT), http://www.dmort.org, is a Federal response team designed to provide assistance in the case of mass fatality incidents. This and other medical teams are sponsored by the United States Public Health Service and the Office of Emergency Preparedness National Disaster Medical System and thousands of volunteers from across the country dedicated to helping those in need.
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In a message dated 9/12/01 6:07:44 PM, Alan in Northern Ireland writes:
JOHN, Just a short email to let you know that the thoughts of all my colleagues and myself are with you and all America at this time. As someone who has lived with terrorism for over 30 years I know how you must be feeling. I'm sure that you will know many of the dead and injured. Please accept my sincere condolences and you are in my prayers at this time. God bless you all and all your countrymen.
Alan in Northern Ireland
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In a message dated 9/13/01 1:59:40 AM, Teresa in Canada writes:
Wow what can I say?
We are all mourning up here as well and in absolute horror and shock. I was panicked when I didn't hear back from you as I know how much you travel.
This is just despicable. I have been glued to the TV since yesterdayand have had very little sleep. We are very close to one of your bases and the fighter jets were escorting airplanes here yesterday. Our borders were all sealed off. It was just horrific to watch and it still is.
I am sorry this has happened to your people John. We are all behind you here for whatever happens next out of the US. A clear message must be sent of "never again". I am glad to see the world leaders rallying around you, maybe some good can come out of some bad.
I have American relatives, one of which is a firefighter in LA. I was heartbroken with the firefighters my god.
Stay safe my friend and try and keep in touch as much as you can in the next while.
Know that I am thinking about you and am so sad for all the losses.
Tree
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Dear Beacham and Lynn
Today has been quiite different from any I have experienced in my life. The school was very somber and our thoughts were with you all in America during this sad and very difficult time.
We are hearing stories in Britain that really touch our hearts, many bring a huge lump to our throats. Life will never be the same again for us all in the civilised world.
I spoke to the group this morning and they were all asking what would happen. The simple answer I had for them was we would have to wait and see how events unfold. Some are obviously concerned and a little scared, others are putting on a brave face. They all said that they still couldn't believe what had happened.
The daughter of one of our friends, Bill has worked with him for 30 years, was in New York yesterday. She has just finished University and was taking some time off before starting work, to see the world. She and her friend were going to the Trade Centre yesterday morning but fortunately for them they slept a little late and had to queue for the shower in the hostel and consequently were later in leaving, otherwise they would have been there.
Jeff Anderson's cousin works at the Trade Centre and luckily for him he got married 10 days ago and was on his honeymoon. Jeff was so relieved when he was speaking to me today. Many Americans I'm afraid to say have not been so lucky.
Another of our pupils brother worked in Manhattan as a scaffolder. He was 10 blocks away from the Twin Towers.
Normally when you hear of earthquakes etc you don't really know anyone connected, but here we are in Oban and we know of 3 who were in the area on that fateful day.
Britain is still coming to terms with the enormity of the situation. For many there is the feeling that there but for the grace of God. I suppose Britain is more geared up to terrorism because of the Irish situation and Airport security is tighter, even for internal flights.
Please tell everyone we are thinking of them at theis very sad time, our love and prayers are with you all at this dreadful time.
All our love
Anne, Bill, Carol and Alan.
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In a message dated 9/11/01 8:39:10 PM, Loni in Texas writes:
I want to encourage us to respond to the terrorist attacks through the power of prayer.
Please pray in three areas.
1. Pray for the victims and their families. This is a time to receive comfort from the God of all comfort.
2. Pray for our authorities and armed forces as they respond to this situation. Ask for wisdom, direction and protection.
3. Pray for us as individuals to receive from the Lord peace of mind.
The enemy wants us to be fearful and afraid, but our confidence is in the Lord. He will supply our needs. He will guard our hearts and minds even in times of uncertainty.
We have already started our prayer line, please forward this on to other Christians who would be willing to pray.
God Bless
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In a message dated 9/14/01 10:13:01 AM, Ben and Richard in Massachusetts sends us:
The date of the attack: 9/11 9 + 1 + 1 = 11
September 11th is the 254th day of the year: 2 + 5 + 4 = 11
After September 11th there are 111 days left to the end of the
year.
119 is the area code to Iraq/Iran. 1 + 1 + 9 = 11
Twin Towers standing side by side, looks like the number 11
The first plane to hit the towers was Flight 11
State of New York The 11 State added to the Union
New York City 11 Letters
Afghanistan 11 Letters
The Pentagon 11 Letters
Ramzi Yousef 11 Letters (convicted or orchestrating the attack
on the WTC in 1993)
Flight 11 92 on board 9 + 2 = 11
Flight 77 65 on board 6 + 5 = 11
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Consider these steps for your life.
1. Work like you don't need the money.
2. Love like you've never been hurt.
3. Dance like you do when nobody's watching.
C YA
John
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