the following is an e-mail that i'd sent to my friends on september 12, 2001: to all my friends--

Some of you I work with each day. I realize that it has been too long since I've spoken to others of you, but I wanted to let you know that you all are in my thoughts, especially after what happened yesterday morning. For those of you who don't know, I moved to New York right after graduation last year and I have been working for TransPerfect Translations, Inc. ever since the beginning of July 2000. TransPerfect is located at Three Park Avenue, on the corner of Park and 34th. We have a perfect panoramic view of all of Manhattan from our 39th-floor office.

Yesterday morning I thought we were watching a movie out of the office windows. My friend Jeff came to my desk and said *A plane just hit the World Trade Center!* Jeff jokes around all the time, so I wasn't about to take him seriously until I realized that he wasn't even smiling. We ran to the Hudson River conference room to see the first building with flames coming out of it. The glass looked as if it were dripping down the sides...almost as if it were icing on a cake. It was 9 am...we could smell the morning coffee brewing and the sky was absolutely cloud-free. We were just working. I can't imagine how it would have been had any of us been looking out our windows with a plane coming straight at us...

I was just heading back to my desk when someone screamed *OH MY GOD a second plane just hit the second tower!!!!!* At this point, people were screaming and crying; the phone lines were all busy and cell phones weren't working. I ran to my desk to call my friend who worked on the 25th floor of that first building. No answer. The next few hours were absolutely unforgettable.

Since we are two blocks away from the Empire State Building, we left our building and a group of us stayed together. We walked over to the East River, but the ferry wasn't running. We heard that the only way out of Manhattan was to cross the 59th Street Bridge on foot. So we walked all the way, past the United Nations to the bridge. All the trucks were carrying people on their back bumpers and tailgates. Some of the people we were walking with were covered in ashes and soot. Crossing the bridge, we looked downtown and saw nothing but billows of smoke. We walked to Queens, and then I stayed at a friend's place on Roosevelt Island [an island in the East River between Manhattan and Queens].

At any rate, I came home several hours ago for the first time since 6:30 am yesterday morning. I had no idea our lives were going to change so drastically. This afternoon I went to my friend's place in the Village on 12th and 2nd. I won't ever forget the smell of the ashes and dust downtown, and how empty the streets were. Her roommate works at St. Vincent's Hospital and admitted a fireman this morning who saw his coworker [another fireman] die when a jumping person landed on top of him and killed them both. Another friend of mine had debris hitting him as he was running away from his office on Water Street. This friend told me that a man surfed down the face of the building from the 80th floor and suffered only leg injuries...

I hope that this message finds ALL of you and your loved ones safe and in peace. For those of you here in New York City with me, please call me if we have not yet gotten in touch. I'm still trying to call all of you. A tragedy as horrifying as this puts life into perspective, to say the least. The phrase *life is too short* carries new significance...

Let's not forget the power of dreams and prayers. Please take care of yourselves and let me know that all of you are safe. Peace, love, and blessings to all of you

--Rumiko Lane ('00)

The events of Sept. 11 have helped me put my life in perspective

I witnessed the jet hit the Pentagon on September 11.

From my office on the 19th floor of the USA TODAY building in Arlington, Va., I have a view of Arlington Cemetery, Crystal City, the Pentagon, National Airport and the Potomac River.

Tuesday morning, September 11, started out to be like any other day. The air was crisp and the sky was clear. I arrived at my office at about 6:45 a.m. I noted US Air and Delta flights taking off from Reagan National Airport. I figured the weather must be clear up the coast as the shuttle flights were taking off on time.

I made it through my morning regimen of reading five newspapers and scanning several websites. I was feeling pretty good about the fact that I had accomplished so much before the workday actually started.

I turned my attention to e-mail and then checked the newswires to see what went on in the world overnight. At about 8:50 a.m. a bulletin came across the wire stating a plane had crashed in to the World Trade Center. I turned on the television in my office and about 10 of us watched the black smoke rising above the colossal structure. The first reports said a small plane hit the tower. We all thought it must have been the result of a pilot having a heart attack.

The mood turned dark. As we watched the story it appeared that people were jumping out of windows in the burning building. We were collectively in a state of shock when we watched as a second plane slammed into the other tower of the World Trade Center.

At that moment we all knew what had happened. Terrorists had struck hard in New York. We all felt vulnerable in our own "Twin Towers" that overlook Washington, D.C. We have had several bomb threats over the years, but we never dreamed that something like this would happen.

Shortly after watching the second tragedy, I heard jet engines pass our building, which, being so close to the airport is very common. But I thought the airport was closed. I figured it was a plane coming in for landing. A few moments later, as I was looking down at my desk, the plane caught my eye.

It didn't register at first. I thought to myself that I couldn't believe the pilot was flying so low. Then it dawned on me what was about to happen. I watched in horror as the plane flew at treetop level, banked slightly to the left, drug it's wing along the ground and slammed into the west wall of the Pentagon exploding into a giant orange fireball. Then black smoke. Then white smoke.

We didn't know what further plans the terrorists had. Were there more planes in the air? Were they headed toward us? We erred on the side of caution and told people they could leave. Nearly everyone did, including me. We went into emergency plan mode. The company staff tried to regroup in front of the Iwo Jima memorial. But as soon as we got there MPs from Ft. Myer and Arlington Police came through screaming for us to clear the area because another plane was headed that way. We couldn't get back into the building, so we sent people home to work from there. Many of our intrepid journalists stayed in the building. A good number of them have covered wars in the past and have been deployed in combat zones. They don't scare easily. But for me, all I could think about was my wife and our daughter.

The scene around the office was nothing short of pandemonium. Streets were absolutely jammed with cars and people. Many acting crazy driving on the sidewalks and threatening people who were in their way. To make matters worse, a local radio station reported that a plane had hit the USA TODAY building. I called the station and told them they were incorrect. They didn't believe me and kept on reporting it. The station even sent the story up to the radio network, which in turn reported it nationwide. Reporters in California and elsewhere were calling me to confirm the number of dead at USA TODAY.

Outbound cells were jammed, but somehow my wife, an elementary school music teacher, called me on my cell phone and I told her I was OK and that I was going to try and get home. A few minutes after that, her school's principal distributed a note to the teachers that summed up what had happened and told teachers not to discuss it, not to turn on a TV or fire up an internet connection. The note also stated that a plane had hit the USA TODAY building. Fortunately, my wife knew better. Other than that, the school had set up a system of greeters at the main doors to assist parents in picking up their children. Many parents did just that and it was all dealt with in a very orderly fashion. There was fear that some of the kids may have had parents who work at the Pentagon. While many do work at the Pentagon, it turned out none were harmed in the attack.

It took me about 90 minutes to get my car out of the immediate vicinity of my office. I was able to take back roads to my home in Reston, where I was able to work from home for the rest of the day.

While monitoring coverage of the attack I learned American airlines Flight #77 was the plane that slammed into the Pentagon. I have taken that flight on numerous occasions on trips to Los Angeles. That hit me very close to home. I didn't sleep at all that night. I stayed up watching news reports and reading newswires. I slept about two hours each night for the next several nights.

At this point, our lives have returned as close to normal as they will get. It's difficult for me to sit at my desk and look at the gaping hole in the Pentagon, as I relive the tragedy over and over in my head each time I see the building.

But I escape into our little family. Our daughter is three years old and full of energy. We play in the yard, go to the park, paint, color, attend Mass and do all the things parents and children are supposed to do. It gives me comfort to know she is blissfully ignorant of the events that have transpired on September 11. It worries me that it won't always be this way. But I'm sure that's a fear all parents face to one degree or another.

Every day when I come to my office and look out my window I see the charred, gaping hole in the Pentagon and relive the tragedy over and over in my head. It's an image that will be burned into my memory for the rest or my life. Growing up in the Washington, D.C., area I think of all the people I have known who worked in the Pentagon, and the number of times I have been in the building. (And I think of the number of times I have been in the World Trade Center over the years.)

Fortunately, I didn't know anyone killed or missing in any of the attacks. But I know many of you do. My heart and prayers go out to all of you and to everyone everywhere who has been touched by this terrible tragedy. I pray that our leaders at all levels act judiciously and respond effectively.

Even in times of terrible tragedy there is opportunity. Perhaps the coalition that we are building will be able to isolate terrorists and bring them to answer for their actions...or at least remove their ability to carry out another major attack. It has already helped us to come together as one nation. Perhaps this will help us come together as one world.

All of this has given me a great appreciation for the many blessings that have been bestowed on me in my lifetime...as well as a better understanding of what I take for granted. It has helped me recognize my prejudices and given me a clearer understanding of family, love, commitment, dedication, faith and courage.

I think we have all seen how these events have brought out the best in us as a people. Perhaps we can focus on that as we move forward.

If you've read this entire missive, thank you. It's the first time I've written it all down and it has been quite cathartic for me.

-- Steve Anderson ('85), Director of Communications, USA TODAY

Bruce E. Simmons was my first roommate in 1979 and 1980. He called himself "Sy." Sy met my parents here in Harrisonburg, and I traveled to NY to meet his family. We went to St. Louis by train, to a Capitals' hockey game, to the Big Apple for a trade show. He frequently hopped across the fence from White Hall to I-81 to hitchhike home. We moved from White into Gifford basement. Fred's Bakery, as we called ourselves for parties and intramural sports. We prepare for our 20-year reunion at JMU Homecoming '02.

I, like all Americans, was appalled at the attack. I wondered about Sy; but I figured that New York was a big place. I got a call from Fred's Bakery. Sy is survived by a widow and three children.

I last saw Sy in 1994; I was on a four-wheeling expedition, and we arranged to meet at a bar on a Sunday night. Very upbeat and much the same, except now he is stockbroker named Bruce. OK Bruce.

Glad to have seen you one last time.

-- Mike "Shifty" Shifflette, 1982

First, I want to say thank you to the JMU Alumni Association for putting together this web site, and allowing people in the JMU family a forum to tell their story. As everyone has realized over the past month, talking is often the best medecine.

September 11th was a horrible day for our nation. For those of us who live and work in New York, it was especially difficult. My company lost our offices at 1 World Financial Center, my coworkers saw people jumping and witnessed indescribable horrors. I walked 50 blocks through the Bronx to get home after the business trip that spared me from being less than 1 block away from the tragedy, and I have never been happier to see my street when I arrived home.

I have a lot of friends that went to JMU here in the city - Lisa Cox, my roommate, Kristin Warheit, Ann Salamy, Michelle Lovoulo, and many others. We called each other, eager to hear voices and so happy to know that we were safe. Unfortunately, not all of us from JMU were safe, as evidenced by the missing lists, but I am so grateful for my friends here, and so happy they are part of my life.

Harrisonburg is a wonderful place. I crave its solitutude, its peace in these days of chaos. I long for rolling hills and green places, and the safe haven that is the JMU campus. And I have a request, for those of you that are still there - pray for us. Somehow, it seemed easier to pray at JMU, easier to close my eyes and breathe in fresh air, and concentrate on God all around in the natural beauty and the warm faces that make up daily life at JMU. There are challenging moments in college, for certain. There is pain and strife in every town. But, for some reason, God has blessed some places with more fresh air and less strife than others, and I believe Harrisonburg is one of them. If you are looking for something to do to help people, do this: walk outside, take a deep breath, look at the hills, and say a prayer for the people who walked on our campus before you, and for those who will walk there after you.

God Bless -
Jennifer Reed
Class of 95

I grew up in NYC. I loved walking the streets and feeling the energy the city provided. I loved the sounds of cabs honking and the smell of "dirty water dogs" on the corner. This was life, excitement, and culture. Then Sept 11th came. I live in NJ now, but this area revolves around NYC. Everyone knows someone who either worked in the WTC or around it. My own father worked there for many years. As I watched in horror the events of that day, I must have counted off dozens of people I knew working in those buildings. It took hours to find that most of them were ok. I've lost a few friends... young, beautiful, smart, caring, incredible friends. My parents lost more. The city is different now; quieter, slower, and perhaps more friendly(?) We are proud, we are strong, we are New Yorkers. Those rescue workers are killing themselves night and day, barely stopping to eat, drink or rest- they won't stop until each and every brother of theirs is found. When the dust settles and the holidays approach, remember that blood, money, and prayers will always be needed. And KEEP FLYING THOSE FLAGS... NEVER FORGET!!

What is there to say? We are all affected by this tragedy and will never be the same. While I did not lose anyone in the tragedy, I think we all lost our last trace of innocence. My daughter Katie, a grad student at JMU, turned 21 on Sept. 11, 2001. What would have been a wonderful day of celebration turned into a mixed bag of sorrow and worry and fear. I felt sad that this special day for her had turned so ugly and yet, we felt guilty for mourning the loss of a birthday celebration when so many suffered loss that is too great for words. Our prayers are with all who lost friends and family.

As an employee of the Arlington Red Cross and a member of our local Disaster Action Team, I was one of thousands who witnessed the the tragedy first hand. Our small Chapter staff of 16 and our unbelievably inspirational volunteers were responsible for providing immediate mass care for the relief workers on the scene at the Pentagon, and developing a response plan to meet the unprecedented needs of the families affected. But my message to alumni is not about the tragedy, but about the overwhelming response. As one who worked 24 hours a day for the first few days, I was touched most of all by the love and support of the community around us. From strangers to JMU alum that I haven't heard from in years, we had willing volunteers lining up on our doorstep day and night. Friends with fears of needles rolled up their sleeves. And donors would come by with their financial support- money raised at schools, offices, lemonade stands, impromptu walk-a-thons around the National ! Mall, bar nights, and benefits.

Thanks to the many JMU friends who supported our efforts (and me!) through the first few weeks- Your words of encouragement, financial support, and willingness to pitch-in meant so much. I continue to pray that all of you and your families are safe and well, and I hope that this horrific experience continues to strengthen our commitment to community and bring us closer to our neighbors.

As a firefighter in Arlington County I was on the initial response to the Pentagon on Sept. 11. That morning I was at fire station 8 watching the tragedy unfold in New York. As we were watching TV our dispatch toned out all of the stations for a plane down at the Pentagon. For that entire day and many days after we were involved in the rescue and recovery efforts. The whole situation was almost unbelievable. I've never seen so much destruction and devestation up close, I can't even imagine what ground zero in New York looks like! What I really want to say here is thank you to the JMU community for their response to this tragedy. I played one part, but many other JMU students and alumni were also involved. JMU alumnus John Delaney is also a firefighter in Arlington, firefighter Kris Aspen has a daughter at JMU, and I know there are many others. I also want to express my greatest sympathy to all who lost loved ones or friends on Sept. 11.

In memory of FDNY, never forget

On a recent trip to New York, I took time to go down to the World Trade Center site. As I walked the along street up from the 16th Street Pier where I picked up the viewing tickets to the area where crowds still gather to place flowers and messages of support, I was struck by an incredible sense of pride. New Yorkers in this little spot in Manhattan were getting on with their lives, still sweeping up debris in many spots, but opening their hearts and welcoming the guests they once relied on to fill their businesses with open arms. I'm sure it hasn't been easy for them, but I realized that if they could do it, than I could as well. My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families, especially those of our fellow alumni who perished, but I am so grateful that as a nation we are all coming together to help everyone deal in this difficult time. At JMU, they taught us that we are "All Together One" and every day, I am proud to see Americans everywhere adopt the same belief.

I work for the General contractor, AMEC Construction Management, Inc., who was renovating the Pentagon before September 11th, as the Safety Manager for the project. On sept. 11 I flew out on Reagan National Airport on the 6am shuttle to NY, to attend a corporate safety meeting. We were on Broadway near 40th st at 8:40am and could see the twin towers down the hill, when we entered the building. Ten minutes later we heard that the twin towers were hit and then the day started spiraling downhill. Later we heard about the Pentagon and then that there were 4 of our people missing(later they were accounted for). We then got out of the city 0n the 12th by train, after we got home and we heard that the train station had been closed due to a bomb threat 1/2 hour after we left. Arrived at the Pentagon at 6am on the 13th and have been at the Pentagon rebuilding the damage since then. Working around the clock 7 days week, it is amazing to see what kind of work can be done when everyone mixes pride and patriotism together to show the rest of world that you can knock us down but we will heal ourselves put things back together as good if not better than before. The goal of our project is to have people back at there desk looking out of there windows at the world outside the Pentagon on September 11, 2002 at 9:38am.

God bless and good luck to all JMU grads and all Americans, especially our fighting men and women who are in harm's way. I cannot find the words to express the grief and rage I felt seeing our nation attacked by terrorists. To all those who lost friends and loved ones on September 11, 2001, peace and prayers to you. We are in a long hard struggle and we will survive and we will win. I met Hamid Karzai's advisors here in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E., on February 11 and they were incredibly professional. Nothing in the press has conveyed the warmth and gravitas Karzai possesses. The speech he gave here, which was point-blank in its denunciation of radical Islam, was bold and beautiful. I am a long way from home but he made me feel right at home. As I write, British Royal Marine commandos are joining our soldiers and Special Forces in eastern Afghanistan. September 11: Never Again.
Mike Tucker Abu Dhabi, UAE
JMU: MA, English, '99

Dear Friends:

As many of you know, our nephew died on September 11 at the World Trade Center. Matthew, 26 years old, worked for Marsh & McLennen in data management. He was at work on the 95th floor when the first plane struck the tower. He never stood a chance. Needless to say, the past 10 months have been traumatic for our family. First there was the horror of the event. Then the uncertainty of knowing whether Matt was alive or dead, followed by our acceptance that he was gone. Then his parents were notified that a small remain of MattÕs body was found and identified. (Matt weighed 9 pounds when he was born, over 150 lbs when he died. Less than 3 pounds have been found and identified.) The rest of MattÕs remains are either scattered at Fresh Kills Š a landfill dump in New Jersey, or pounded into the ground of what once was the World Trade Center site. What is to become of the remaining human body parts and the WTC site is now being decided. Below is a statement by our family that we are sharing with newspapers, government officials and friends.

"On September 11, 2001, America was attacked at The World Trade Center. The sixteen acre site ravaged in this attack has become the cemetery of all those who died there. Literally, fragments of human remains cannot be removed and are imbedded in the walls and ground of that sight. In addition, the remains that were cremated by the intense fires of the attack cannot be separated and identified. These remains are now in a dump, Fresh Kills. The current plan is to merely cover these human remains with dirt and leave them at the dump.

We believe that this entire 16 acre site is hallowed ground in much the same way that Gettysburg and Pearl Harbor are hallowed sites. The same respect should be given this site where America was attacked and where nearly 3000 people died. A respectful cemetery and memorial should occupy the entire space. NO commercial buildings should share this space. Secondly, the ash remains should be returned from Fresh Kills to the World Trade Center site where they can be joined with the fragments already there.

This cemetery and memorial belong to all Americans as they show their respect for the lives lost and for the values they hold sacred. We do NOT want the land to be used by the privileged few who feel it is their economic right to build on this hallowed ground. The only appropriate use of the 16 acres remains what it has become, a cemetery, and what it should also contain, a memorial to the lives lost and to the survivors of the attack against The United States of America."

You can help us by copying this statement and sending it to newspapers and government officials. To find out who your Senators and Representatives are and how to write or e-mail them go to: http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/. The New York Time can be sent reached at: letters@nytimes.com. Please consider forwarding this e-mail to your friends and families. Thank you for helping us.

Faithfully,
Jayne and Bill Shontell

I can't believe that 10 months have passed since this tragedy. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of the victims and their families. Although I only spent a semester at JMU before transferring back to NJ, Matt became a good friend. Many of my memories of JMU include Matt, his friends, and my suitemates. Of all the memories, I can't think of one time when Matt wasn't smiling and having fun. He was a truly special person and I was blessed to know him.

I started working at the World Trade Center almost a year before the 11th. It had been a very exciting year... my degree from JMU paying off in spades... going to work every day and looking out onto the courtyard in the middle of the former cluster of WTC. Mom had been nervous about my being there after what had happened over a decade before, but that's a Mom's job, right? I was proud to be there. That morning I was getting to work a little early, just coming up from the subway half a block away as the first plane hit. Everyone around me stood in shock, pointing and chattering. The building burning, trading papers from major financial firms starting to blow around half burned and stained from the smoke, an unrecognizable smell, and all around me the shocked and distant faces of so many people. I couldn't even acknowledge what I was seeing though it was less than a stones throw away. Reality hit hard as it became obvious that not all of what was falling from the building was the building itself. As I was still being pushed forward closer to the towers, now only across the street, the second plane hit. There was sudden panic; from where I stood I never saw the plane, but rather only the North and East sides of the building blowing out, fire spewing directly overhead, though many tens of stories up. Asked later how loud it was, I couldn't remember... but the shaking of the ground and the sight of fire and metal, some landing far too close for anyone's comfort, is still very much ingrained in my mind. I left that day for my apartment a block away from Union Square, which quickly became a shrine that afternoon as it was the nearest downtown park that wasn't blocked off by barricades. The next few weeks were a blur. I can't even begin to explain the process of trying to shake the memory of what surrounded me that morning. I think my great fortune not only to be alive, but to keep my job (despite being displaced until February) helped tremendously. In the months since, I've missed JMU more than I can say. I think it may be nostalgia for a time when I felt so safe, when I barely paid attention to what went on outside of the University. I've made some changes in my life, as I'm sure so many people have, opting not to put off those simple things I want to do. I got a puppy (a bulldog, of course) and have kept my friends and family closer than ever. I'm planning my first trip back to JMU this September 7th with my best friend (from the class of '97). I look forward to it more than words can say. I'm sure this far exceeds the 200 word limit for these messages, but I hope to at least let people know how much it meant to see that there was so much support coming from the school and it's students, faculty, and alums. Thank you all.

This message is for Craig Blass's family and friends. We miss you buddy, we're all thinking of you and praying for you. I'm sure your still watching sports from up there so for this time of year I'll just say "Go Gints"

-Bill Roche