Posted: 8 months ago

Anne and I took some time away from our work with the Republic of Georgia for this week in 2001 (high in the mountains at a retreat that the Russians had built). There were over 1000 at the several hotels but we were the only Americans. I had been chosen as an artist to represent America at a workshop of artists from all over Europe (I took the time away from my Fulbright work to attend in the eastern part of Georgia, staying with the Governor of that District, while I worked in Kutaisi, Georgia). The mountains were refreshing and most days we took long walks into the forests surrounding the retreats, passing Georgians, nodding, smiling and passing on.

The Russians, as usual had turned off the electricity, so that for the three days before 9/11, there was no television during the day (coming on in the evening). We had just returned from our walk when the television came on for one hour and we saw the two planes hit into the Twin Towers. I could not read the sub-titles except for three words: "Terrorists, Twin Towers and New York". That was enough. Television went off again and we walked some more, talking. All the Georgians that we met put a hand over their heart and said, "Sorry" (maybe the only word they knew in English), and I said, "Thank you" (one of the few phrases that I knew in Georgian).

What we got from that moment in time was the universal coming together of the world for America. The next day I stood in line to get a call to the Embassy, asking what we should do, and was told to stay at the retreat because it was safe until I got a call to go back to Kutaisi. The long line for that call was in the hundreds because there was only one telephone to call Tablisi and the Embassy.

It was a week before I could call my relatives in New Jersey, fire fighters and police officers who were, I found, called to New York to help with the clean up. What both Anne and I got out of that experience was several things: a deep anger at what was done, a determination to improve my work and dedicate it to those who died, an understanding that all Americans were together on that day (no matter where you stood politically) and an understanding that for a day the world was also behind America in its sorrow, and lastly, how strongly I felt about this country and how the image of 'gray people' (covered with the dust of the Trin Towers) were united and ONE (no matter what color your skin was). It was a day of revelation and pride to be a part of a country that can pull together and move forward. That Christmas we came home for vacation before completing my Fulbright work and marveled how strongly we felt for our home land when we set foot off the airplane.

Posted: 8 months ago

Each of us will remember where we were on 9/11.

Our young granddaughter, then 6 had spent the night so she could be the first to say Happy Birthday to her "Papa Tom." The TV on in the back ground soon became the focus of the surreal world of 9/11.

As I took Tiffany to school that morning, I felt as though I was abandoning her. I suddenly felt the grief of all the families directly in harms way. Where were their children; the Mothers, Dads, Grandparents?

The amazing stories of hope and courage; the bravery of those who raced into harms way to save others, knowing that they would be victims. Today watching the memorial, hearing the stories, seeing how people have overcome adversity, shows the strength of the human spirit. Most inspiring is the determination to live in freedom, and restore and renew lives, while paying tribute to our Heroes.

Carol Anderson