 | »Rattled, saddened, angry and determined« |
| September 24, 2001 | |
| A letter from Elizabeth Ramborger, exchange student at FSG in school year 1991/92 |
The destruction at the Pentagon was terrible. Certainly, it has us all rattled, saddened, angry, determined, wary, and a host of other emotions. But it is also only a fraction of the devastation in NYC. I can’t claim to be able to comprehend what the families, rescuers, and city as a whole are going through. Because of the location of the Pentagon and its damaged section, it’s sort of out of the way for most DC residents. I attempted to walk over one day but didn’t get around to the damage. I have to say that working for the defense establishment, I am impressed by the level of support the military gives to its families. And then to think that you have around 190 people killed here in the city, and thousands in NY without an established support network, walking the streets, looking for solace and information. It’s heart-breaking – but also inspiring, because it seems that they are coming together as a city. One sad development is that a DOD employee in my Presidential Management Program – the government-wide program I am in to streamline »young talent« into the Federal Government – was killed. I didn’t know him, but he was 26, one year into his professional career, and married. Overall we’re okay and didn’t know anyone personally who was a victim of the attacks and life is going on fairly normally. I can’t say that I am going through any particular stages of rage or sorrow, etc., these days, but I think we’re all a bit raw around the edges. People get impatient at work, we’re all a little testy... I think the best way to account for it is that underneath the surface there is a layer that’s wondering what’s next, how things will change, etc. A certain amount of stress. As much as I don’t want to buy into the »end of innocence« argument out there, there is a level of truth to it. Much of what I’ve believed about the use of force and foreign policy has changed and that surprizes me. At the same time, I am concerned that the US reaction is handled in an appropriate manner (don’t ask me for good suggestions....?!!). There are a few immediate changes to daily life in the DC area. Traffic is crazy, as the 28,000 Pentagon employees are hard pressed to find parking and Metro was persuaded by DOD to open an hour early on weekdays. A friend of mine who waitresses says business is slow. There are heightened security measures at government agencies. There’s talk of not reopening Regan National Airport, which would mean everyone has to trek out to Baltimore or Dulles. Also, I was supposed to participate in a 32-mi bike ride yesterday but it got cut to 12 because all the police needed to close the bike route were guarding big important buildings. But we all rode and had little flags attached to our bikes. Beyond these things, most of you are feeling the effects of the changes to our economy. Be it the stock market or airline lay-offs, etc. (ah, the job search just got more fun). I suppose that’s where the anger comes in again. As much as we are united and carry on as a nation, on some level they’ve won in eradicating our sense of security and disturbing many facets of normal life. Well, that’s about all. Please continue to keep your thoughts with those truly affected – the missing and their families.
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Hello everyone, |
Stand: 24.09.2001 | Aktuelles | Schulprogramm | Projekte | Beschäftigte | Arbeitsgemeinschaften | Ehemalige | Schüleraustausch | Freunde und Förderer | Kontakte | Wissenswertes | Chronik | Wegweiser |
