227  Near the Pentagon

Date: Sun, 16 Sep 2001 13:22:42 -0400
From: Melinda Bates <melinda.bates@VERIZON.NET>
Subject: Near the Pentagon

Dear Mark,

I, for one, would like to see your message, and don't care how long it is.
I assume those who are uninterested know the location of their delete key.

I live in Arlington, Virginia, about a mile from the Pentagon. On Tuesday
morning I was awakened by the sound and shock wave of the plane crashing
into the Pentagon. I rushed to the window and could only see people outside
ducking their heads and looking up and around to see what had happened. I
rushed to the television, where the reports from NYC were coming in. News
from the Pentagon followed very quickly because there were so many people on
the roads adjacent to the building with cell phones, video and still
cameras.

Following the crash we heard the first of a day-long series of wailing
ambulances, police and fire vehicles rushing to the scene. When the
announcement was made that the airlines were shut down, the day seemed
strangely quiet here, but the quiet was soon broken by the sound of fighter
jets scrambling to patrol the skies over Washington. Since I used to travel
with the President, I am accustomed to the ruckus that accompanies this -
the multiple helicopters and escort planes, the non-stop sirens of the
motorcade in a hurry ( On my last official trip, last November, we took Air
Force 1 to JFK, disembarked, then took Marine One and Nighthawk 1 - the
helicopters- to the Wall Street landing zone, then a 40 vehicle motorcade
doing 65 mph through the heart of Manhattan. I thought that was pretty
amazing...) But fighter planes over the capital was a new, and unnerving
experience.

All day we watched the huge column of black smoke, listened to the sirens,
and smelled the burning. From the television we learned the extent of the
attacks, here and in NYC. Knowing that other citizens, my NEIGHBORS, most
of them in public service, had lost their lives in such a horrendous way was
and is a profound shock.

We watched the video of White House staff evacuating their buildings, many
clearly terrified. It was unimaginable to me that the place I think of as
the heart of America could be in danger, and in it so many people I know and
love. Nevertheless, I know in my heart that if I still worked there, on
Monday and every other day, I would be back at my desk, determined to carry
on the mission, aware of the risk but resolved that life goes on, and
especially goes on in defiance of evil. Otherwise, they win, and that is
unthinkable.

with resolve to keep on dancing,
Melinda


----- Original Message -----

Date: Mon, 17 Sep 2001 08:24:09 -0400
From: rtara <rtara@MAINE.RR.COM>
Subject: Re: Near the Pentagon

Thanks to Melinda Bates and Mark Sussex for sharing their stories.

These profound feelings of sadness, helplessness and horror has made it
difficult to concentrate and strained nerves to the breaking point.

We are worried about loved ones, about the world, about our country's
response and what that response may may result in.
We are worried that this is only the beginning.

But we must go on. Somehow we must go on. I write these words because I need
desperately to hear them and take them in. Last week I was nearly paralyzed
with grief and fear. A few customers still called - some wanting shoes, some
worried about their shipments. I suspect I was not as understanding and
accommodating as usual. I want to apologize.

Business will go on. Shipments may be slower. I may be less chatty. Waits
for back orders may be longer, but business will go on.

Be patient with yourselves and those around you. Take care of yourselves and
spend time with those you love.

Robin Tara


Tara Design, Inc.
www.22tangoshoes.com
Toll Free in US: 1-877-906-8272

18 Stillman St.
So. Portland ME 04106
207-741-2642--