Americans Step Up to the Plate to Help
Day
3 (September 13, 2001)
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President
Bush visiting victims from the Pentagon attack at a hospital
in Washington D.C. |
Tears of grief
and anger continue to flow over each lost life, as we face the foul
evil of terrorist attacks that stole the lives of innocent men, women
and children on our own sovereign soil.
Each hour the
country holds onto a glimmer of hope for word of more survivors
as rescue teams work tirelessly through the terrorists torn remains
of the twin towers. One worker said that at times he doesn’t know
where he gets his strength, "maybe it’s God Almighty".
Miracles are happening though, 5 of the missing firefighters thought
to be dead, were rescued from a buried SUV and two were able to
walk.
Now information is released that reveals
more details of the terrorists insidious plans to seek and destroy
in our country. Reportedly the Secret Service exercised countermeasures
to save the President’s life on Tuesday.
Minutes after the missile type attacks
on the WTC towers a terrorist called saying "Air Force One
is next" the threatening call revealed the extreme danger the
President was in since the terrorist knew the location of Air Force
One and used secret code words and procedures that are not known
to others.
Mayor Giuliani and teams of law enforcement
continue to thwart more terrorist threats to the already wounded
city, as more suspected terrorists try to strike again.
Officials
state that 4 men dressed as airline crew were arrested at JFK Airport.
They carried fake I.D.s, flying licenses, and had knives in their
possession. At LaGuardia 5 other men were taken into custody with
the same M.O. Authorities are now saying that up to 100 people here
in the U.S. are involved in terrorist missions. The numbers seem
to be growing. As the enemy lurks within our boarders, many fear
that it is not over.
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The
government believes we are up against a global terrorist network
with "planning cells" across the U.S. One terrorist expert
says what makes it so difficult to root out these cells is the fact
that they appear to be "normal law biding citizens until the
jihad is called". Two of the terrorists from Tuesday’s attack
had been learning how to fly in Miami Florida. It was reported they
had paid $1,500 in cash to use a Boeing 727 simulator and were at
the controls for about 6 hours. The FBI has also been looking at
the fact that Microsoft produces a flight simulator that would have
allowed the terrorists to practice the attack on the twin towers
at home. Also in Florida, a man tied to the attack is now in FBI
custody, Adnan Bukhari who is cooperating at a witness. Interestingly
his brother died in an air collision one year ago to the day of
the attack while learning how to fly. Abroad another suspect has
been detained in Germany at the Hamburg Airport.
As
for a response against Osama Bin Laden, who is now known to be a
key organizer of these evil attacks, the president had this to say:
"…Make no mistake about it, my resolve is steady and strong
about winning this war that has been declared on America. It’s a
new kind of war. And I understand it’s a new kind of war. And this
government will adjust. And this government will call others to
join us, to make sure this act, these acts, the people who conducted
these acts and those who harbor them are held accountable for their
actions. Make no mistake."War
seems more and more likely as recent polls show that the country
is asking for it. In the Los Angeles Daily News poll conducted on
Wednesday, the question was raised: "Should the U.S. blow the
terrorists to hell?" 98% of those polled said "Yes".
Many letters from civilians to news agencies say that they are either
seriously considering enlisting in the military or are going to
in the upcoming days. So far, NATO says we have permission to fly
though their air space and talks are under way with Pakistan. European
loss in this attack is heartrending. It has been stated by the BBC
that employees from London-based publishing company Risk Waters
have been lost. The company had been holding a 180-delegate conference
on the 106th floor of the World Trade Center and there has been
no word from any of the attendees. Russia’s state television went
off the air for a time to honor Americans and countless similar
public demonstrations took place across Europe.
Another
fight that is going on is for life at the World Trade Center. Spirits
were raised today as rescue crews lifted five Firefighters from
the rubble –one seen prominently on camera walking and being embraced
by fellow firefighters. More stories came today of heroism and miracles.
Roughly 3,600 employees of Morgan Stanley
Investment Management’s 3,700 were saved from the South Tower. Joseph
Mcalinden tells the story where during a breakfast meeting a security
guard named Roy had urged everyone on his floor to evacuate the
building. Even though at that time the situation was seen as "no
threat" the security guard went with his gut. Another Morgan
Stanley employee on the 71st floor was a hero that morning. He carried
a woman in crutches all the way down the stairs to safety.
Corporations small and large are continuing
to give in any way they can. Verizon lost technicians working in
the towers and has made payphones free in lower Manhattan. AT&T
is giving free cell phones to relief organizations and McDonalds
has been giving food to workers. Anheiser Busch has been distributing
water and when the call was put out tonight that work boots were
needed because workers’ boots were being torn to shreds, the Timberland
Company came right away with truckloads. People are opening their
hearts and resources in all ways. It has been reported that this
is the first time blood banks have been completely filled in New
York. Another need that that has been answered is office space.
Even little companies like bluefly.com have helped; they donated
9,000 square feet of office space in Midtown. And as companies bunk
together, determined not to let the terrorists destroy our economy,
Dominos Pizza came by to deliver free pizzas and office furniture
stores delivered much needed furniture. One man said that they want
to send the message that ‘life goes on and that the New York Financial
District will rise again.’
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