I was born in Winston-Salem. My sister and brother still live there and I visit often. My heart is still in NC. I read your news online and read the paper when I am in town.
Regarding 9-11, my husband is from NY City and his two sisters still live there. They both work in a office building that was 4 blocks from the WTC. They lived the horror both times it was attacked. One of the sisters has two sons who are NYC Detectives. One was assigned to WTC fortunately was off when the incident occurred. Both were in their 20's at that time and lived the horror of the search for any sign of live people in total darkness.
Retiring to Florida we are still involved with community and military activities. There are groups of anti war demonstrators whose sole purpose is to undermine the war on terror with no conscience as to what happens to your fellow citizens when they return for the third time - as they promise to do.
I also have a great collection of research on the Peace Now group that is active in our little county. They hold demonstrations at the courthouse every Thursday, claiming to Support the Troops. However their main goal is to get the attention for their other signs promoting bring the troops home now, Bush lied, war is not the answer. I managed to get the email address of the local organizer and over the weekend I sent her an email of General Patton describing what torture really is. My original goal was the answers I would get from the group - it really gives an insight to their twisted minds.
There is a branch of their United for Peace and Justice along with many other names they call themselves that is very active in your area on and around the campus of Chapel Hill. But be certain to look up Peace Now, the latest group they have become associated with. Very enlightening. It says very clearly what is planned for our future, according to them.
The local web site is: http://peacenowcitrus.tripod.com, the group they describe as "pro war" is our Support The Troops group.
The population of our United States of America has a very short memory. Too many have forgotten that 3214 members of our population were murdered on that day, and many of the firemen, police, rescuers and residents are now suffering from inhaling the pulverized glass and debris.
Unless we, as a people wake up and unite against the common enemy of freedom, we will be reminded again, again and again that these terrorists want us annihilated from the earth. There will be more and greater 9-11's.
Our world was forever changed on that day - every person living on this planet will no longer be safe until the people who plot against innocent people are in chains or better in graves.
Shirley Sanservino
Inverness, Fla.