Hello Everyone,
I want to start by thanking Kay [img]/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif[/img] for nudging me into writing a follow-up on my feeling, emotions and what I saw on my trip to deliver supplies to NYC last Friday (9/14).
Well let me start by stating the trip was to start early that morning. I awoke before my alarm clock (Zachary 1yr.), to find it pouring rain and extremely windy...so we delayed the trip until later in the afternoon. Leaving in the afternoon turned out to be a God send, I heard the rescue dogs were in need of Science Diet Dog Food & doggie boots to protect thier feet, several had their paws bandaged from walking over the glass & metal shards all around ground zero...but they are troopers and still wanted to work.
Well, DH came home early from work, now it was time to start my journey, wouldn't you know it the sun came out and their was a rainbow in the sky as I left. Gosh, so many emotions were going on at that time, I had no idea what to expect. After stopping to pick up the dog food & boots, I was on my way...wearing a red & white shirt, jean shrit as a jacket & blue jeans, I picked up a ribbon to wear on my jacket on my way out of town [img]/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]. We were asked to wear Red, White & Blue that day.
Driving on the highway & NJ Turnpike, i could not help but notice all the vehicles with American Flags & ribbons on them...truley impressive and a great show of the American Spirit [img]/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img]. At 7pm the time of the Nationwide candlelight vigil, I looked up ahead of me and there was the Empire State Building (I was sitting in traffic, bearly crawling)right in front of me, the radio was playing "God Bless the USA" by Lee Greenwood, people were lighting thier lighters out thier windows and flashing thier headlights...How overwhelming a show of patriotism!! [img]/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img] After an 1-1/2hours in bumper-to-bumper traffic to go 4 miles to the Lincoln Tunnel, I was just about there...One more hurdle and NYC here I come. As I approached the toll booth, there were NJ State Troopers & Port Authority Police checking each vehicle as it went through the toll...I was stopped by a very solomn looking Trooper who popped his head in my passangers side window and asked what I was hauling in my van, I replied an abreviated list of items I had for the rescue workers & Rescue dogs...he cracked a smile and sadi, "God Bless You...go ahead." In the tunnel thoughts came over me, what was it going to be like? was it going to be orgainzed? or bedlem?? I was soon going to find out, I drove past St. Vincent's Hospital one of the ones the survivors were being taken to...alot of action going on all the networks had camera crews camped out and broadcasting, the area was lit up like daylight with flood lights on all four corners aimed into the center of the block. I drove down a few streets to 10th and turned to go back towards the Javits Center were the donations were being collected. So many store fronts had fliers of Missing Loved Ones stuck to them with candles lighting up the streets & sidewalks, many people were stopping to look at the photos and light more candles, they were also selling American Flags & bandannas on the street corners.
Oh, no another round of stand still traffic, almost there. There were volunteers directing people to were donations were going and were volunteers(firefighters, EMT's & police) were being sent to. Next to me were 6 members of the Arnold, PA Fire Department, geared up and ready to go in and help out, they were waved ahead of me, of course.
I had to go down a street and around to 13th Ave, no problem. Got to a red light and was perplexed as to were to go to take all this stuff. A very nice police officer saw me and directed me to park on the corner. He put down his sandwich (he and others were on break eating and resting, while the Salvation Army cooked up goodies for them) & drink to help me unload everything....So many people driving and walking up with donations...from tractor trailers to a man walking with a bag of dog food,what a showing of support, the officer started helping me unload the water, luckily that was being collected on that corner, and other food, as he helped other officers came over to lend a hand...I never in a million years would have thought I would be doing this & being helped by members of the NYPD. We had to walk across the street to the parking lot were the gloves, socks, sweatshirts, flashlights, batteries, respirators, etc. were being collected...as crazy as everything looked it was indeed very well organized. The work gloves all 126 pairs & the two cases of lanterens were scooped out of our hands and immediately taken to a truck being loaded to go down to Ground Zero. That was an incrediable feeeling knowing some of the items I just delivered were so needed that they weren't even going to sit...Of course I wasn't able to get anywhere near the truck due to security...it didn't matter what I had set out to do I had did.
As I walked back toward my car I saw a 20ft. Science Diet Truck had come in and was being unloaded with more food for the 200 Rescue Dogs. I got in my car and ste off to return home.
I had accomplished what I needed to do. People were so friendly & helpful, I can't (even now) begin to explain it. I felt a DEEP sense of PEACE as I drove home...something I haven't felt in a very long time. I need to do this, and i am glad with thehelp of my husband I was able to do it. Some of you know I have gone through some very serious family problems, nothing in comparision to what the country was now going through; but none the less hard on my and my family. I just started trading again right before this happened, I am now back to trading, and God willing off to a betterend of the year then in the begining.
THANK YOU TO ALL THE VOLUNTEERS for the countless hours of dedication and determination. To ALL AMERICANS -- GOD BLESS US ALL!!! May we all be safe, and may peace soon follow.
Thanks again, Kay [img]/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]
HUGS,
Mel
melway95@aol.com
www.melsmarketplace.eboard.com
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