Martin and all,

The fellow that wrote the below email worked for me for several years,
then got another job that involved a lot of traveling. As you can
see, he was near the WTC on 9/11. So I, a California native and
resident, personally know someone greatly affected by 9/11.

Another acquaintance from my small town, a baker, was compelled to
bake some goodies, fly back to NYC during the cleanup, and hand them
out to the workers, all at his own expense.

Probably most Americans have similar stories. I remember seeing the
pictures and videos of people jumping from the towers, and thinking to
myself, this could have been me: one moment, you're starting work, cup
of coffee in hand, yakking with your work buddies--an hour later
you're deciding that suicide by jumping is preferable to being burned
alive. Did you talk it over with those same work buddies---how many
were still alive? Did you have a chance to call your spouse, say
goodbye to anyone you love?

I also remember news pictures and stories of Palestinians laughing and
celebrating, of OBL snickering and smiling at his handiwork. So cut
us some slack if we enjoy an occasional moment ourselves. That
doesn't make any of it right. It just makes us human, after all.

Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2001 7:17 AM
To: Jill
Subject: Hi


Hi Jill,
Its been a long time since I heard from you. How are you doing?

Things have been very depressing since Sept. 11. I was in NYC on the
day of the attack. I was actually walking past tower 2 crossing over
towards liberty plaza when the first plane hit. It was so surreal that
I still don't believe it actually happened. I don't think I ever felt
as panicky as I did that day. As I was walking away from the building,
debris was coming down along with papers. One of the papers was some
firm's confidential documents and then is when it struck me. There
were people up there in the buildings. It just squeezed my heart right
there. Thankfully I was able to get away without any injuries. It was
a long wait to get the ferry out to NJ and then the Greyhound back to
********. I don't think I have ever wanted to come home so bad.

Anyway, this week I am in *******. I really like this place. Next
week I am headed for NYC again. I haven't felt like a movie in weeks,
but I do now. Did you see any interesting movies this summer? Fall is
just around the corner and I just love that slight tinge of summer
that hangs in the air. Say hi to my friends. More later -- ******