9/14/01
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PHS Bulldogs On-Line
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Sep 14, 2001
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7 Bulldog alumni notes today, including several forwarded messages re: patriotic responses to the recent terrorism:
John Garman (63)
Pamala Routt Gasaway (64)
Melinda Smathers Dupuis (65)
Paul Case (67)
Le'Ann McAllister Cherry (67)
Art Weltz (67)
Alan Taylor (67)
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Ed. note: Several people sent in the text of a broadcast editorial by Canadian radio commentator Gordon Sinclair (1900 - 1984). The editorial aired in 1973 and is worth reading. Rather than reprinting it here (many of you have probably already seen it), I have provided a link to one web site where you can read the editorial, listen to the audio, and read other info re: Mr. Sinclair and the editorial.
I have also included a column Published Wednesday, September 12, 2001 in the The Miami Herald. I believe The author has expressed the feelings of most of us very well. - Paul
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Published Wednesday, September 12, 2001 The Miami Herald
Leonard Pitts, Jr.
We'll go forward from this moment. It's my job to have something to say.
They pay me to provide words that help make sense of that which troubles the American soul. But in this moment of airless shock when hot tears sting disbelieving eyes, the only thing I can find to say, the only words that seem to fit, must be addressed to the unknown author of this suffering.
You monster. You beast. You unspeakable bastard.
What lesson did you hope to teach us by your coward's attack on our World Trade Center, our Pentagon, us? What was it you hoped we would learn? Whatever it was, please know that you failed.
Did you want us to respect your cause? You just damned your cause.
Did you want to make us fear? You just steeled our resolve.
Did you want to tear us apart? You just brought us together.
Let me tell you about my people. We are a vast and quarrelsome family, a family rent by racial, social, political and class division, but a family nonetheless. We're frivolous, yes, capable of expending tremendous emotional energy on pop cultural minutiae -- a singer's revealing dress, a ball team's misfortune, a cartoon mouse. We're wealthy, too, spoiled by the ready availability of trinkets and material goods, and maybe because of that, we walk through life with a certain sense of blithe entitlement. We are fundamentally decent, though -- peace-loving and compassionate. We struggle to know the right thing and to do it. And we are, the overwhelming majority of us, people of faith, believers in a just and loving God.
Some people -- you, perhaps -- think that any or all of this makes us weak. You're mistaken. We are not weak. Indeed, we are strong in ways that cannot be measured by arsenals.
IN PAIN
Yes, we're in pain now. We are in mourning and we are in shock. We're still grappling with the unreality of the awful thing you did, still working to make ourselves understand that this isn't a special effect from some Hollywood blockbuster, isn't the plot development from a Tom Clancy novel. Both in terms of the awful scope of their ambition and the probable final death toll, your attacks are likely to go down as the worst acts of terrorism in the history of the United States and, probably, the history of the world. You've bloodied us as we have never been bloodied before.
But there's a gulf of difference between making us bloody and making us fall. This is the lesson Japan was taught to its bitter sorrow the last time anyone hit s this hard, the last time anyone brought us such abrupt and monumental pain. When roused, we are righteous in our outrage, terrible in our force. When provoked by this level of barbarism, we will bear any suffering, pay any cost, go to any length, in the pursuit of justice.
I tell you this without fear of contradiction. I know my people, as you, I think, do not. What I know reassures me. It also causes me to tremble with dread of the future.
In the days to come, there will be recrimination and accusation, fingers pointing to determine whose failure allowed this to happen and what can be done to prevent it from happening again. There will be heightened security, misguided talk of revoking basic freedoms. We'll go forward from this moment sobered, chastened, sad. But determined, too. Unimaginably determined.
THE STEEL IN US You see, the steel in us is not always readily apparent. That aspect of our character is seldom understood by people who don't know us well. On this day, the family's bickering is put on hold.
As Americans we will weep, as Americans we will mourn, and as Americans, we will rise in defense of all that we cherish.
So I ask again: What was it you hoped to teach us? It occurs to me that maybe you just wanted us to know the depths of your hatred. If that's the case, consider the message received. And take this message in exchange:
You don't know my people. You don't know what we're capable of. You don't know what you just started.
But you're about to learn.
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From: John Garman (63)
An important message I have been asked to forward:
Friday Night at 7:00 p.m. step out your door, stop your car, or step out of your establishment and light a candle.
Reach everyone across the United States quickly.
The message: WE STAND UNITED-WE WILL NOT TOLERATE TERRORISM.
John Garman (63)
Spokane, WA
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From: Pamala Routt Gasaway (64)
RE: Homecoming - October 7:30 vs. Kennewick - Game Time 7:30.
Is there anyway we could get a special section at the game reserved for alumni? Do you have to get tickets in advance or purchase at gate? We could all go to a Tav after the game.
Pamala Routt Gasaway (64)
Bothell, WA
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From: Melinda Smathers Dupuis (65)
Friday Night at 7:00 p.m. step out your door, stop your car, or step out of your establishment and light a candle. We will show the world that Americans are strong and united together against terrorism. Please pass this to everyone on your e-mail list. We need to reach everyone across the United States quickly. The message: WE STAND UNITED - WE WILL NOT TOLERATE TERRORISM!
Melinda Smathers Dupuis (65)
Snohomish, WA
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From: Paul Case (67)
A sad, sad tragedy. At least two things we can all do:
Prayers for the victims, their families, and all the people helping with rescue and recovery.
And please consider donating what you can to the Red Cross National Disaster Relief Fund - or another relief fund of your choice. You can donate to the Red Cross fund in several ways:
The national American Red Cross online at http://www.redcross.org/donate/donate.html
1-800-HELP-NOW (1-800-435-7669)
Checks may be made out to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief fund and sent to P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013
Paul Case (67)
Saddened and angry in Pasco, WA
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From: Le'Ann McAllister Cherry (67)
To show those terrorists that we Americans stick together, Friday SEPTEMBER 14 is "Flags Across America." All Americans are asked to proudly display the American flag, either in their homes or cars. Let's keep the meaning of UNITED in "United States." Pass this onto as many people as you know.
What has happened today is an outrage!!!! What can we do as American brothers and sisters. Maybe not a lot as far as stopping these cowards, but we can send out a message to them. Our ancestors were persecuted and even killed for their beliefs. We have our freedom because of those beliefs. The time has come for us to stand up for our country and show that we too are Americans and if you do it to one of us you have done it to all of us. We may have complaints and gripes about "our" country, but we have that right. The blood of "our" people have given us that right.
So what am I asking, a simple one, get out that flag!! Old Glory, the red (blood that has been given for our freedom), white (for our freedom of religion) and blue (the skies that shine on this great nation) and FLY IT. Send out a message that the spirit of this country WILL NOT BE STOPPED. I have respect for anyone that stands up for their beliefs but not those that send out their message in COWARDISM.
If you believe the same forward this to all you know.
Christine Fehl
The great state of Tennessee and a Proud American Citizen
Le'Ann McAllister Cherry (67)
Kennewick, WA
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From: Art Weltz (67)
To Ron Dupuis:
Ron......I am almost right across from the white tee blocks on the ninth hole. It is a white house with about a three-foot brick retaining wall. Stop by anytime. Always have a cold one in the frig for you. As well, any Pasco High alumni, there will always a cold one for you too.
Art Weltz (67)
Pasco, WA
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From: Alan Taylor (67)
Hi all.
This has been & will continue to be a website where I can go for a smile and a fond recall. However, things in our world are reminding me of the jr high memories I have of when JFK was shot. We were so young and impressionable. I appreciate the sentiment you shared Le'Ann. Take care all. It is necessary.
Alan Taylor (67)
Hood River, OR
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