Grief and Remembrance
Editors:
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff of Duke Magazine
for remembering those alumni
that we all lost on September 11.
Until this point, it has been very difficult to have any type
of closure on the lives of the wonderful and innocent people who
were simply living their lives, and upholding their citizenship
of this wonderful country. For those I did not have the opportunity
to know, I hope that their families and loved ones realize the entire
Duke community, past and present, has them in their prayers and
thoughts. Each and every one of these brave citizens shall never
be forgotten for their courage and citizenship.
The Duke community is a family, and I think that I am not alone
in saying that it is with this family that we all evolved into our
adult selves. So to all those who have been touched by this awful
and inhumane tragedy, we, the Duke family, will always be with you
and here for you.
Thank you again for acknowledging our grief and our feelings of
family. Godspeed.
Ellen L. Hellman B.S.N. '79
(via the website)
Editors:
The touching letter of Rick
Seidel in the January-February Duke Magazine, about people
who lost their lives on September 11, prompts me to write a long-overdue
response.
On September 11, my husband and I were in England, staying at
Oxford's Rewley House as members of the "Oxford Experience,"
sponsored by Alumni Affairs. It is frightening to be away from home
in a foreign country when one's own country has declared war. Even
worse was to wonder when or if we would get home. In those first
days of shock and fear, no planes were flying, and the possibility
of another terrorist attack even more devastating than the first
was on everyone's mind.
Geoffrey Thomas, president of Rewley House, opened the phone lines
so that we could call home at any time and at no cost to us. Nothing
could have been kinder and more reassuring. Ed Coker, programme
director, was ready with comforting help and advice, and our Duke/UNC
representatives, Rachel Davies and Ron Hyatt, were always available
when we needed support.
The second day after the tragedy, a fax from President Keohane
was posted on our bulletin board in the common room. Her expression
of concern and reassurance brought tears to the eyes of my husband
and myself. It was a never-to-be-forgotten time of people reaching
out to others in compassion.
Nancy H. Roberts '48
Greensboro, North Carolina
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