Letters from Friends:

Sept 14th:  Jim Hoffman writes:
Dear friends,

Obviously the past few days have been far different than any of us could have
ever imagined.  They have left us changed forever in many ways we can not yet
even begin to really understand.

People have spoken of a loss of innocence.  This is certainly true, there are
many things in our daily lives that we will never quite think of in the same
way again, even if only subconsciously.  A plane in the sky.  A tall building.
Security Check points at the Airport. Innocent victims of far away events.
Fire, Police and Rescue personnel.  Our loved ones when leaving on a trip.

People have compared it to Pearl Harbor.  We are all too young to know what
that was like but we certainly have a new perspective that we never really had
before.

People have said lots of things, most of which make sense and yet none of
which really can touch, change or aid the loss, sadness and pain we all feel.

I have heard from and reached out to many friends during the past couple of
days.  A couple of days.  Have you noticed how its feels like this is something
that happened far longer than 50+ hours ago.  None of my friends or family were
lost in this tragedy and so I can only imagine the added magnitude of this event
for those that have.

This country is far from perfect but in the long run we stand for something very
important, unique and wonderful.  The diversity and freedom of this country has
been at the foundation of all that is right.  As with all power, it is often
abused.  We make mistakes.  We learn.  The freedom that we have, the freedom that
has been assaulted, is something that is at the heart of what gives this country
its true strength.  That freedom has also always come at a price.  That is something
many of our parents generation understand but we for the most part took for granted.
We will always be a target as long as we fight and stand by those who need and
deserve it.  As long as there is injustice in the world we must not only let our
voice be heard, but take action regardless of the consequences.

What makes us everyone unique should be the reason for friendship, learning, and
understanding.  Differences should never be used to create fear, hatred and
misunderstanding.  I am proud and privileged to be American.  I would hope that
everyone else in the world is as proud of their Country and heritage.  I am also
proud and privileged to have the people in my life that are my family and friends.

Love to you all,

Jim




Sept 14th:  Richard & Gillian write:
(London)


Lenny & Erin,

London stood still today at 11.00, to honor the people we care about in the
city we care about. In addition to the great sadness and disbelief that we
all feel, is a sense of frustration at not being there to do something,
however small, to help and participate in all that you must be going
through.  Our thoughts remain with you and all New Yorkers...

Love, Richard & Gillian





Sept 14th:  Astrid and Pascal write:
(Germany)


Dear Lenny and Erin,

below I tried to write up or thoughts. Feel free to post them on your
website.

Pascal, Astrid, and baby
(we are expecting a girl in January:-)


So many thoughts took hold of us the past three days.

The harder it is to find a starting point for expressing our thoughts in
writing.

First we want to point out how shocked we are about what has happened.
Nobody along our friends, family and colleagues see the attacks as something
far away from Europe or Germany. Everybody feels like the attacks hit a part
of us, our way of life, our dreams, our culture and -- our friends.
The harder it is to suddenly find out that oneself has many personal
contacts to people living or staying directly on target of the attacks:
Friends and relatives, collegues or business partners.

We share the fear and mourning. People all over Germany tryed to express
their sympathy with plenty of minute's silence over the past three days.
Just today more then 200.000 people were going on the street to demonstrate
their deep concernment. Tomorrow the coutry is enkindling candles and will
place them ont their window sills, to show the world that we try to light up
our affiliation with each other. A formerly not known menace, fear and
irateness has taken hold of us.

During the past three days we partly realized what really has happened, but
we still could not work it up. And while we are trying to work up the recent
incidents we are forming new, important thoughts:

- How will it go on?
- What is going to happen?
- How will America with or without it's allies react or fight back?
- Will further terroristic attacks take place and where might those attacks
   take place?
- How will what has happened affect the togetherness of mankind globally?

There are many open questions we form before we have really managed to work
up what has happened. But there is one thing we believe to already know:
Terrorism of this, a short while ago unimaginable kind, should bring mankind
of whatsoever color, culture or religion closer together. Only
close-partnered we will be able to fight terror and assure mutual respect
and togetherness.

Astrid and Pascal
Sep 14th