Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Gurdon responds to attack

Tuesday morning everyone awoke to a beautiful fall day with perfect temperatures outside.

Little did anyone know what this past week would hold in store not only for the nation but for us as individuals.

As everyone knows by now, two airplanes were hijacked and flown into the World Trade Center Twin Tower buildings in New York City. Shortly after, another hijacked airplane flew directly into the Pentagon.

As if Americans were not horrified enough, the two trade towers collapsed onto thousands of people inside including rescue personnel and spreading debris for miles around the complex.

President George W. Bush, who was in Florida at the time, rushed to the country's aid by making his first public statement saying, "We will hunt down and find whoever is responsible."

With threats going out to the President himself, Bush was forced to fly to Louisiana and then Nebraska before he could even go to Washington, D.C. to assess damages there. Air Force One flew with fighter jets surrounding it to try and keep the President safe.

Still not knowing exactly what was happening or where the terrorists would strike next, President Bush put the nation on "Highest Alert."

Before anyone could think, another hijacked plane had reportedly crashed in Pennsylvania.

President Bush decided to shut down America's air traffic for the time being. This was a major decision to make in order to protect Americans.

President Bush made a statement to the citizen's of the U.S. that basically summed up the days's events. "This is our saddest hour, yet it can be our finest hour. We American's are all in this together," he said.

Bush also stated he didn't want to jump to conclusions, although most indications lead to Osama bin Laden.

Bin Laden is a well known Saudi billionaire. He is powerful and has been suspected to be responsible for the 1992 bombing on a United States ship.

He is also believed to have bombed American Embassy buildings in Africa.

In 1993 the World Trade Center was bombed and Bin Laden was a major suspect.

President Bush announced he had received key endorsements from Japan, Russia, China, Germany and 15 other major allies.

While the talk of war was first being mentioned, many people were already making plans. Nineteen NATO ambassadors agreed to allow Washington to invoke Article Five of the NATO's Charter. This was a first in the alliance's 52-year-old history.

Article Five is designed to respond when a cold war offensive declares an "armed attack" on any member to be an attack on all members.

That means the U.S. will be able to count on support from its 18 NATO partners for any potential military response.

By Thursday morning an emotional President Bush vowed to "Lead the World to Victory." He also promised "any actions taken towards terrorism will help all generations to come."

Bush designated this as the first war of the 21st century.

Bush said Congress unified. Congress hastened to vote an approval on $20 billion as a first installment on recovery and anti-terrorism efforts. By Friday morning another $20 billion had been approved.

In the recovery efforts many are emotionally drained and worn out. However, the search continues and no matter how tired everyone seems the rescuers work diligently to find those 4,700 people who are still missing in the rubble.

Sadly enough it was reported 11,000 body bags had been ordered to be sent to New York City. Rescue workers are not expecting to find this many bodies as mush as they are expecting to find body parts.

There is absolutely no doubt Americans band together when their country is in crisis which is what we should be doing right now.

Clifford Simonsen, spokesperson for the IAPSC, said, "It is very important to be in touch with America and show our great patriotism."

On Wednesday of this past week Wal-Mart stores around the country reported selling more than 120,000 American flags. By the end of the week, Wal-Mart and K-Mart had sold a combined 500,000 American flags.

Friday at noon President Bush asked the country recognize a moment of silence in honor of those lost and of what is about to come.

Gurdon High School students held a prayer circle around the flag pole as the flags waved at half staff.

Driving down Main Street Gurdon there are American flags and patriotic bows on every business.

There is no doubt in anyone's mind this is "War" and it is just getting started.

Americans should all bind together to show support for those who will be defending our country.

Remember the ones who have fought before now to keep our freedom and the ones who have lost there lives to make sure we are free.

These terrorists are jealous of our freedom, but we, as Americans, will not let them take it away from us.

Many people involved in the armed forces are people we all know and love. It is guaranteed someone from Gurdon will be participating in this fight for freedom.

If you know of anyone from Gurdon who is already on duty or involved in any other way please let us hear from you at the Gurdon Times.