Queens Gazette

We Will Rise Above Terrorism




Photo Linda J. Wilson

Photo Linda J. Wilson



Yesterday the United States of America suffered the worst terrorist attack in its history. New York City, “The Capital of the World,” was, of course, a major target. Today, the skyline is radically altered. The Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, which loomed over lower Manhattan for almost 30 years, collapsed after two hijacked passenger airliners were deliberately crashed into them at approximately 9 a.m. Other United States institutions suffered attacks as well: another hijacked airliner crashed into the Pentagon across the Potomac River from Washington D.C., and in the nation’s Capital a bomb went off near the State Department. Another hijacked plane went down near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.


At press time no casualty count had been issued, although obviously the deaths and injuries number in the thousands. According to Dan Andrews, press information officer for Queens Borough President Claire Shulman, earliest reports listed three police officers and four fire fighters dead, very possibly losing their lives as they attempted to save the lives of victims.


We extend our sympathy to the injured and the families and friends of the innocent dead. We encourage all those who can to participate in all possible assistance efforts, including donating blood. and, in the case of any medical personnel, contributing their services Above all, remain calm and let the military, police, fire fighters and rescue squads do their jobs. We will get through this.


We are shocked, amazed and horrified by this vicious attack on innocent human beings. As of this moment we do not know exactly what individuals or groups are responsible for this act, although surmises abound. We would point out, however, that other episodes of lesser degree have taken place within the last decade and we are confident that, as in the past, we will find the individuals who ordered this monstrous crime and punish them to the fullest extent allowed by law.


We may be down–for the moment–but we’re by no means out, as the perpetrators of this outrage will soon learn to their sorrow. New York City has faced disasters in its past and overcome them; we will overcome this one as well. “The city will prevail. It prevails, no matter what,” Shulman said at the meeting of a community group last week. She spoke truer than she knew. We will prevail. We will survive. We’re still here.




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