[Editor's note: Be sure to read down to the PS.]
Rich:
Below is the forwarded e-mail to my father, who is now 76 yrs. old. He signed up for the Army on his 18th birthday (oddly enough he was born on Dec. 7th) He did so well on his IQ test the army was willing to pay for medical school in the US - but he chose to go to the Pacific. His grandson (my nephew) has just turned 21 and is a senior at ___ in South Carolina. He is a handsome outgoing young man - biggest concern up until now was the height and curl of the waves -biggest menace was maybe sharks at dusk.
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That written piece by the Canadian journalist was wonderful. I often feel that like a strict parent; the United States is not fully appreciated for our good deeds and justice we try to help the world accomplish. Our actions are only spotlighted when someone disagrees with them.
The terrorists action seems like that of ignorant hatred but it's confusing to me that some one like bin Laden who has as much money and is obviously a smart person who can plan such a monstrosity and believe that something like this is the right thing to do.....so many innocent civilians ...wow....but being who I am I must find an upside to this and I believe if there ever will be one it's our nation's inspiration to come together....undivided...indivisible at least ephemerally�and ideally for a long time.
I know that in Charleston already I have seen people of all types with compassion in their eyes when I walk down the street; people with sincerity behind their greetings and waves...finally.
Often I feel people are hospitable here because of generations of habit (definitely a good habit) but it's now different. People put their differences on the back burner to unite around a commonality: An evil which has invaded everyone's lives, not just one race's or one religion's like things are often made out to.
It seems people are seeing that similarity in each other these days instead of their petty differences. God bless the U.S. Anyway the surf's up and I've got lots of work to do this weekend. to I tough on time.
PS. Thank you for going to war to protect the rights and privileges that I have grown up to take for granted.
love,