ARRL President Praises Amateurs' Response to Terrorist Attacks
 ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP. [ARRL Photo] |
NEWINGTON, CT, Sep 12, 2001--ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, has expressed his deep appreciation to amateurs throughout the world who have sent messages of condolence and support. Haynie also praised the actions of Amateur Radio volunteers.
"The shock and horror of yesterday morning's events are still fresh in our minds," Haynie said. "Radio amateurs in New York City and elsewhere around the country are doing everything they can to support the authorities in locating and assisting victims. We know that there are many among us who have been touched personally by these tragedies, but there is comfort in knowing that we are not alone in our grief."
"Never have I felt more strongly about what a great privilege it is to be a part of the extraordinary global community of Amateur Radio," Haynie concluded.
Messages of support have been received at ARRL from International Amateur Radio Union member societies as well as from individual amateurs around the world. Among them was a fax from Japan Amateur Radio League President Shozo Hara, JA1AN, who expressed "great shock and dismay" at the attacks in New York and Washington and offered "heartfelt condolences to the victims and families of the victims" as well as any assistance JARL could offer. Deutscher Amateur-Radio Club Managing Director Bernd Haefner, DB4DL, expressed similar sentiments. "At this horrible time, we all are Americans," he wrote.
New Zealand Amateur Radio Transmitters President Peter Norden, ZL2SJ, said "our thoughts and prayers are with you." Wireless Institute of Australia President Ernest Hocking, VK1LK, wrote Haynie to express his "great sadness" at the events of September 11 and offered his society's assistance. "Our thoughts and best wishes go out to all American amateurs involved in the valiant rescue efforts currently underway," he said.
Other expressions of support, shock and sorrow came from Azis Sasa, TA1E, who said, "We all deeply condemn this ugly terrorist attack;" from Pedro Seidemann, YV5BPG, of the Radio Club Venezolano; from noted DXer and UBA President John Devoldere, ON4UN; from Dimiter Petrof, LZ1AF, of the LZ CW Club; from Radio Society of Great Britain President Don Beattie, G3BJ; and from Ken Pulfer, VE3PU, of Radio Amateurs of Canada, who said, "Ottawa is in shock today. Events like this bring us closer together."
ARRL Vice President Kay Craigie, WT3P, posed "a significant point to ponder" regarding the willingness of Amateur Radio operators to volunteer in a time of need. "On a day when many Americans were rushing home in horror, saying they just wanted to be with their families, where were a lot of radio amateurs? Not at home with their families, but rather spending hours on the radio at emergency operations centers helping authorities deal with the disaster," Craigie said. "Compared to the sacrifices by emergency responders in New York City and at the Pentagon, it was a small thing, yet a thing that should not go without notice."
Amateur Radio Emergency Service and Radio Amateur Civil Emergency organizations continue to provide support to emergency management officials and responding agencies--such as the Red Cross and the Salvation Army--in New York City, Washington, DC, and in western Pennsylvania. ARES/RACES teams in other states, including Florida, Minnesota and Washington, remain on alert. (ARRL will be posting additional details of the continuing Amateur Radio response to the events of September 11 in a separate report.)
Page last modified: 08:26 AM, 13 Sep 2001 ET
Page author: awextra@arrl.org
Copyright © 2001, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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