Dear Locators,
We all watched - in disbelief - the making of tragic history yesterday. Emergency teams are still shifting through rubble in a gruesome and hazardous operation to find thousands of people trapped under the rubble of New York's World Trade Centre. Smoke and dust continue to cover much of New York, nearly 24 hours after the twin towers of the centre - a symbol of American financial strength - were reduced to rubble by two hijacked passenger jets. In Washington, the Pentagon - the heart of the US defense - has now been evacuated after coming under attack by another crashing hijacked plane yesterday.
Locators Online was put on alert and we prepared to receive location requests from worried members of the public. We have been receiving an average of 7 requests an hour since late last night local time and have not had any difficulty locating anyone as telecommunications systems have not been effected. We have contacted 133 people in New York and Washington, all alive and well.
Yesterday's dastardly attacks may have been directed on the US, but they were attacks on modern civilization and bring to light the threats terrorism pose to all of us, all over the world. You will find emergency contact information attached to the end of this message.
A day after we were once again faced with another case of man's inhumanity to man, we should take a moment to pray for the innocent people who have lost their lives. May God give their families strength in these terrible times.
Those who want to help, can make a difference by making donations to the American Red Cross. Your donation will help thousands of people in a time of great need. American Red Cross resources are strained during emergencies of this magnitude. The fastest and most effective way to help the victims of this disaster is through cash and blood donations, which allow for the best use of resources. All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people.
To make a blood donation, please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE in the US or contact your local blood service organization. To help the victims of this and other disasters through a financial contribution, call 1-800- HELP-NOW (in the US) to make a credit card donation or Internet users can make a secure online credit card contribution by visiting www.redcross.org/donate/donate.html
You can also mail a donation to the American Red Cross, designating "Disaster Relief Fund" on the memo line of the check, at the American Red Cross, PO Box 37243 Washington DC 20013.
Below I am sharing a poem sent to me by a fellow locator. For those receiving this note, we hope you are well and safe with your loved ones.
With the greatest respect,
David T. Thomas,
Executive Director.
(on behalf of:
LOCATORS ONLINE COORDINATORS.)
=======================================I stare in total disbelief,
Heart torn with instant grief.
Plumes of black smoke fill the air,
Marking a building no longer there.
I close my eyes, I want to pray,
But my mind doesn't know what to say.
Much like Pearl harbour, so many years ago,
So many gone with one fatal blow.
There are no words to explain,
There are no words to ease the pain.
To those who gave their lives,
Mothers, Fathers, Husbands and Wives,
To all who's lives today did cease,
May your soul find instant peace.
We will honour you and the life you gave,
As a Patriot of "The Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave."Pamela Gayle Smith
September 11, 2001.
EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION
=================================National Terrorist Victim Hotline 1-800-331-0071
New York Disaster Volunteer Assistance 1-800-642-9029
FBI tips Hotline 866-483-5157
To Donate Blood 1-800-GIVELIFE
Find out how to help the victims of this tragedy -- give blood, donate, help in your community -- through www.Helping.org
Please contact American Airlines at 1-800-245-0999, or United Airlines at 1-800-932-8555 if you believe you have a family member who was aboard:
-- American Airlines Flight 11, a Boeing 767 en route from Boston to Los Angeles with 81 passengers, nine flight attendants and two pilots
-- American Airlines Flight 77, a Boeing 757 operating from Washington Dulles to Los Angeles with 58 passengers, four flight attendants and two pilots
-- United Flight 93, a Boeing 757 aircraft, departed from Newark, NJ, at 8:01 a.m. local time, bound for San Francisco, with 38 passengers onboard, 2 pilots and 5 flight attendants.
-- United Flight 175, a Boeing 767 aircraft, departed from Boston at 7:58 a.m. local time, bound for Los Angeles, with 56 passengers onboard, 2 pilots and 7 flight attendants.
-- American Red Cross: 1-888-BLOOD88 (1-888-256-6388)
-- The Pentagon has asked personnel to call the following number to be accounted for: 1-877-663-6772
-- For Information on Morgan Stanley Employees: 1-888-883-4391
-- Emergency number for Carr Futures: 1-800-755-7620
-- Emergency number for Cantor Fitzgerald: 1-866-326-3188
-- Federal Employees: The Office of Personnel Management has asked employees to call 202-606-1800 for updates on office closings.
-- Justice Department: Families of victims may Call the Office of Victims of Crime about services for survivors and their rights: 1-800-331-0075
-- Locate Local Red Cross Chapters: www.redcross.org/where/chapts.html
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