Library

September 17, 2001 Issue

In light of last week's horrific events, Astron Solutions has decided to postpone this issue's topic on creating employee ownership. Instead, we provide for you two perspectives on the national tragedy.

We send our prayers, thoughts, and condolences to everyone impacted by the events of September 11, 2001.

We also thank our clients, friends, and family for inquiring as to the safety of everyone at Astron Solutions. Our offices are located about four blocks from the Empire State Building, one block from Madison Square Garden, and three miles north of the former World Trade Center. All things considered, physically and operationally we were only mildly inconvenienced by the terrorist attacks. Thank you for thinking of us during this time of shock and sorrow.

Perspective 1 - Jennifer Loftus

Carol, my neighbor across the hall from my apartment, is missing. No one has seen her since Tuesday morning when she left for work. She worked on the 90th floor of one of the World Trade Center towers.

Last Tuesday's events in New York, Washington, D.C., and Somerset County, PA, stand as a testament to the cruel and faceless cowardice and evil that exists in this world. I ask those responsible for these acts, are you pleased with what has happened? Have your goals been achieved?

I stared in disbelief at the ruins of a building complex that was an integral part of my daily life since 1994.

I trembled at the sound of jet fighters flying over our offices last week.

I choked from the smell of burning plastic entering my apartment's open windows.

I felt anger towards the people who, most likely, will prevent Carol from ever coming home again. I am angry with myself for not spending more time with Carol two weeks ago when she was home sick from work for several days.

I cried as I remembered shopping trips, formal parties, visits with friends, and other happy memories of the World Trade Center.

I thanked God for the unsuccessful job interviews I had in offices in the World Trade Center towers, the World Financial Center, and 7 World Trade Center.

I comforted my mother as she regretted not visiting the World Trade Center "one last time" during a rainy trip to New York on Monday afternoon. Who knew the rains foreshadowed the horrors to come in fewer than 24 hours.

A few months ago, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation sent me a Grand Union flag, the first true US flag, the flag that bore witness to the birth of this great nation. When I took the flag out to proudly display it this weekend, I found it too large to hang in my windows or on my walls unobstructed. I now keep the flag by me to remember the strength and sacrifice of our forefathers and to have courage, as large as the flag itself, for the road ahead.

In the days to come, I hope the spirit of the Grand Union flag will envelop this nation. We must join together, Southerner and Northerner, black and white, to defend and protect our precious freedoms. Only through strength and unity will the American way of life return and flourish.

A makeshift vigil for Carol's safe return stands in the lobby of my apartment building. A photo taken at a happier time, a single white candle, a bouquet of roses. While I pray for her return, her spirit inspires me. We will overcome these horrors. We will succeed in returning to "normalcy" and in conquering evil. We must never forget the World Trade Center.

Perspective 2 - Michael Maciekowich

In light of the past week's events, I offer the following excerpt from President George W. Bush's remarks at September 14th's National Day of Prayer and Remembrance service.

"It is said that adversity introduces us to ourselves. This is true of a nation as well. In this trial, we have been reminded, and the world has seen, that our fellow Americans are generous and kind, resourceful and brave. We see our national character in rescuers working past exhaustion; in long lines of blood donors; in thousands of citizens who have asked to work and serve in any way possible.

And we have seen our national character in eloquent acts of sacrifice. Inside the World Trade Center, one man who could have saved himself stayed until the end at the side of his quadriplegic friend. A beloved priest died giving the last rights to a firefighter. Two office workers, finding a disabled stranger, carried her down sixty-eight floors to safety. A group of men drove through the night from Dallas to Washington to bring skin grafts for burn victims.

In these acts, and in many others, Americans showed a deep commitment to one another, and an abiding love for our country. Today we feel what Franklin Roosevelt called warm courage of national unity. This is a unity of every faith, and every background. Our unity is a kinship of grief, and a steadfast resolve to prevail against our enemies. And this unity against terror is now extending across the world.

America is a nation full of good fortune, with so much to be grateful for. But we are not spared from suffering. In every generation, the world has produced enemies of human freedom. They have attacked America, because we are freedom's home and defender. And the commitment of our fathers is now the calling of our time.

As we have been assured, neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, can separate us from God's love. May He bless the souls of the departed. May He comfort our own. And may He always guide our country. God Bless America."

I could not have expressed my feelings any better.

GOD BLESS AMERICA. WAVE THE FLAG PROUDLY.

Reader Poll Archive

Wonder what your fellow readers think about critical HR topics? Is your organization unique from or similar to others?
Click here to view the results of our past polls!

Have a Question?

If you have a topic you would like addressed in Astronology, or some feedback on a past article, don't hesitate to tell us! Simply reply to this e-mail. See your question answered, or comments addressed, in an upcoming issue of Astronology.

Looking for a top-notch presenter for your human resource organization's meeting? Both Jennifer Loftus and Michael Maciekowich present highly-rated sessions on a variety of compensation and employee retention issues. For more information, send an e-mail to info@astronsolutions.com.

Are you reading a pass-along copy of Astronology? Click on this button to start your own subscription today!

Send inquiries to info@astronsolutions.com or call 800-520-3889, x105.

The Fine Print

We hold your e-mail address in trust. Astron Solutions promises never to share or rent your personal information. We also promise never to send you frivolous e-mails and will allow you to leave our list, at your option, at any time.

To remove yourself from this list, please follow your personalized subscriber link at the bottom of your Astronology alert e-mail.

ISSN Number 1549-0467