Eyewitnesses to History

"Thank you for your message. I did not personally lose either direct friend or relative that day. But like many others, I am still in great sorrow over the many folks who were taken and especially those who knowingly gave up their lives in attempt to bring other folks out of danger. Life will never be the same in the United States. The large expanse of ocean on either coast can no longer be seen as a security. We will never be as open again. But for now, we are together again more than anytime since WW II. Maybe we will become less thing oriented and more relationship oriented. The visual memory I hope to retain was of one of NYC's Finest helping a woman he had obviously just rescued from the collapsing building. He had his arm around her to hold her up and was giving her a drink from a cup as they hurried down the street. That is what it was all about that day."

-- Eric G. Rorstrom, '59

"I had come to Cape Cod the prior weekend for a very large family wedding--the first time in a decade I had seen many of my relatives. I was able to show them my new daughter and catch up.

On the morning of September 11th, we were have muffins and coffee while I made the last preparations for our departure back to Sacramento, CA. My brother, a stock broker in Boston, called and speaking very quickly commanded me to turn on CNN as I fumbled to find the remote, he told me that a plane had hit the World Trade Center. I thought misguided first time Cessna user. With the TV on, I looked in disbelief at the dark smoke billowing out of the building. Then they showed pictures of the second airliner so deliberately hitting the other tower--almost like a child hits a tower of blocks with a toy airplane. I was shocked.

Given that, we piled into our limousine to the Providence airport and 5 miles from the Bourne Bridge they announced that Logan had been shut down. I patted myself on the back because I had switched our flight from Logan to TF Green. Just as we were in the round about at the foot of the Bourne Bridge they closed all the airports. We headed back.

I should have taken this time to enjoy my family, see more of Cape Cod, get some work done, etc. I couldn't. I was just too shaken. Too bombed out.

I later have found out that two of the wedding guests were on the American Airlines plane. I looked back at old e-mails detailing reservations for the trip and to my shock my daughter, our Nanny, and I were supposed to be on the United Airlines flight that hit the WTC.

I have gotten back to a new normalcy. It's not safe and it's not comfortable, but it's a new basal level. It has started my thought process on what can I do better in my life so that a) my life has meant more on this planet and b) others would have more tolerance for those who are different. I am mulling that over now."

-- Carol Wilder '86

"A quick note to say thank-you for reaching out and contacting alumni, especially in the aftermath of Sept. 11. As you mentioned in your previous message, I am like so many others in that I have countless stories of close calls, loved ones stranded at various locations around the world, etc. Fortunately, my family did not lose anyone close to us.

WPI has been and continues to be an important part of my life. I have remained very close to several of my classmates and our families have grown and matured together. Professionally, there is always pride and respect when a colleague finds out that I am a WPI alum. I often hear people say, "I wish I went to WPI", or "I could have, should have...etc".

I have never caught myself wishing that I attended any other college of university."

-- Bob Mullins '86

"My family and I watched the national tragedy on Sept. 11 with dismay, anger and sadness. This act has had an unforgettable, deep impression on our 12-year-old daughter.

Subsequent acts of terror have convinced me that we, both as WPI alumni and as citizens of freedom loving countries all around the world shall unite to eradicate this new phenomenon occurring anywhere in the world.

You know, when I came as a simple soul from South India in 1962 to attend WPI, my first glimpse was the SKYLINE of N.Y. Subsequently, I visited with my little daughter in 1996, admired the World Trade Center, Manhattan and its magnificent skyline. Now the WORLD CITY has been devastated by the cowardly act of the terrorists. The image of the plane attacks and the devastation looked like the THIRD WORLD WAR has already started.

I suggest WPI take the initiative to do R&D as well as initiate NEW COURSES in preparation, detection and prevention aspects of terrorism (development of logistics, equipment, detection of bio-germ chemical hazardous materials as well as nuclear attack and so on.

I am sure that the American people are resilient and strong and stand up to this new menace. America must show the world its resolve and strength by taking the leadership. Together with other civilized countries of the world, terrorism shall be rooted out with all means possible.

God Bless America."

-- P. Swamy '64

"It's comforting to know that I have another family at WPI available to provide comfort in this time of crisis. I appreciate President Parrish's words in his message to all alumni.

Most of us here in the San Francisco Bay Area feel somewhat removed from the recent events; we've been watching it all on TV but luckily not experiencing it first-hand (although a member of our Teradyne family from Southern California was on board American Airlines flight 11). That continent-wide separation, however, has not diminished the effect of the events of 9/11, nor has it watered down the amazing sense of patriotism the country is experiencing. It seems that every other car is displaying the US flag in some fashion (myself included).

We here in the Bay Area are also feeling a new fear. As much of the east coast is in the throes of crisis--whether it is still reeling from 9/11 or from the current bioterrorism epidemic that has been unleashed--we here have not been directly touched. The West Coast is indeed fearful of, and even to the point of expecting, a terrorist attack on a large populated area along the Pacific coast. Our fears are somewhat curtailed by the heightened sense of awareness we are all experiencing, and we are confident that our leaders and our own common sense will guide us in the difficult times ahead.

Again, thank you, WPI, for being a calming and reassuring voice."

-- Robert Bourque '98

"Thanks for reaching out to all of us. I have fond memories of my graduate work at WPI in 1979, so I'm not surprised that you would go the extra mile in this particular situation. You're a great bunch.

I grew up in New York City and spent my youth in Manhattan. I worked for the NY Port Authority as an engineering aid while getting my EE at Manhattan College. So I spent a lot of time on Canal Street and the area around the Trade Centers. Just 5 years ago I stood on top off one of the towers with my wife and kids. It was a beautiful summer day and they opened the upper deck. Since you could go outside and walk around on the very top of the tower, it was an awesome experience.

All of NY lay before you. A peregrine falcon was flying near us, catching the air currents rising off the building. A very beautiful and unusual site indeed.

Although I'm very fortunate not to have lost friends or family in the attack, it still strikes us hard. My nephews who work in the financial world in NY lost friends and a roommate in the disaster. Their cousin was on the 30th floor of the 1st tower that was hit. His sister, an EMT en-route to the towers, contacted him by cell phone and told him to get out. As he went down the stairwell he encountered an injured woman who he help out of the building, bringing her to the nearest emergency help center. He then escaped only to find that the woman he had helped, along with everyone near the base of the building, had perished when the tower collapsed. His sister, the EMT, had experiences that I can't discuss out of respect for the depth of her terrible experiences.

So, we've decided to go to NYC to pay our respects. Maybe we'll feel better after that."

-- Bob Van Buren '79 (MNS)

"Thank you for your concern and support. My new home is on West 15th St., less than a mile from Ground Zero. I saw the entire attack unfold with my own eyes. I witnessed screaming people on the street, something out of "Independence Day," with my own eyes. I did not watch it on TV like the tens of thousands of other Americans because I had to evacuate my home."

-- Michael Tramantana '00

"My deepest sympathy for those alumni who lost loved ones on Sept. 11. In Guatemala, where I live, we understand what terrorism is all about, since we had 36 years of it (kidnappings, bombs, extortion, etc.); many friends lost loved ones.

Undoubtedly things will never be the same not only in the US, but the impact is being felt all over the world. Let's hope these attacks abate or disappear completely as soon as possible."

-- Mario Rafael Wunderlich Gumpel '76

"The attack on Tuesday September 11th was certainly one of the most devastating and horrific events the American people have had to deal with. As a member of the financial services community the tragedy came even closer to home. My office building is located 5 blocks from the site of the former world trade center and as a direct witness to the attack and subsequent damage to the immediate area, I can say it was very much a life altering event.

I am aware of several colleagues and work acquaintances that were either lost or have had family lost in the disaster and it has been a very difficult few weeks. The one constant that has been a great help and comfort in these times is the undaunted and determined spirit of our community here in New York. Fuelled by the support, generosity, and spirit of the rest of the country we have persevered. Although none could match the heroism of those firefighters, police, and rescue workers here in the financial services community I watched as hundreds braved their fears and worked 18 and 24 hour shifts nonstop (even including the day of the disaster) so that our financial markets could be open, even going as far as helping competitor firms who were more effected by the event. This culminated with the re-opening of the US stock markets on Monday.

Today I have returned to my office on Wall Street (having been working at our recovery site since the disaster), and although the grim reminder of past events sits 5 blocks away, myself and the others here in New York are determined to push on and make it through."

-- Ty Panagoplos '94

"I have received your message of concern of all WPI alumni after the great catastrophe of September 11. I, as with you and all alumni of our University, am in thought and spirit with those who have losses and suffering as a result of that infamous sneak attack.

Although we are half way around the globe from the site of the catastrophe two days ago, we were stunned and grieved at hearing the lives and property loss caused by the treacherous attacks in New York and Washington, D.C. as the news came in on September 12. The Chinese TV station in Hong Kong transmitted sequences of the terrorist acts all night through (all day through your time). We felt sorry for the innocent passengers in the four airliners that were used as suicide weapons as well as the multitude of people working in the World Trade Center.

The exact number and identities of those killed in the collapse of the several huge buildings may never be made clear (only as missing). These attacks were so thoroughly planned and using such cowardly means that they were outright acts of attack on human civilization. These onslaughts were more serious than the air attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 since then the blows were dealt on military installations and here on civilians. The enemies were easily known then as they were clearly Japanese bombers and but now they are invisible. This is definitely the worst act of terrorism that will go down in history.

I have seen many photographs of the aftermath of the earthquake that struck Tangshan in 1976. The shocks from the quake collapsed all the buildings, dropping the concrete floor-slabs into one neat stack on the ground, sandwiching all the inhabitants inside. The stamping out of lives would be more severe this time since the WTC is a much larger and taller building. The pathetic scene at the WTC reminded us so much like the demolitions by explosion of abandoned buildings that is quite commonly used, the buildings simply shrunk into nothing."

-- Zuyan Mei '49

"Without a doubt, the recent events in the USA have us temporary shaken. I was starting a new job in Hong Kong (GMT +8 hours) on September 10, 2001 when I saw the drama played out the next day - while I was having dinner and wondering how my wife and kids were doing in Canada.

My oldest daughter, Michelle, who is five years old started drawing two buildings with smoke and an airplane (at about 7AM west coast time after watching the news). If nothing else, the US have my full political support even though I am no where near New York or Washington at that time. This is true terrorism--what will my children think? Even with counseling from school, etc.? Where is the real damage?

I guess our values and priorities may be played out very soon with war machines and with other means but I do not think we will loose any focus because of such events. It is with great cheers that I welcome President Parrish offering us this unique opportunity to communicate and share our thoughts."

-- Roger Ting '84

"Thankfully, I am fine, and I appreciate the concern that the WPI community is showing to its alumni during these trying times. I was in Raleigh, N.C., (where I now live) at the time of the attack and was not directly affected. Equally fortunately, nobody from my family (and they are spread around the country and eastern Europe) and none of my friends were in harm's way either. There are a handful of WPI alumni here at North Carolina State University attending graduate school. I can say, but without absolute certainty, that I think they are as well as can be expected.

I have run through many emotions in dealing with the tragedy, like everyone else. From shock and disbelief to sadness and anger, I have felt it all. I fully support our government's plans to retaliate and prevail over the enemy. Being a veteran, I understand the requirements and demands placed on our troops as they go forth to do battle. However, my idea of retaliation would be much more extreme than what are going to do in the coming weeks and months. I don't expect that the government would consider my ideas.

Nevertheless, I am coping with the situation very well and I remain hopeful and confident that America and her allies will prevail, no matter how difficult the challenge may be."

-- Mik Kiss '90

"As a graduate student at WPI, I never got involved with the typical activities for campus spirit. Your e-mail though is very touching and I am reflecting on years gone by.

I am very fortunate to not have been directly touched by the death and missing people toll our country is enduring. As an American, I am proud to be an American, my flag is flying high and the flag pin I wear daily was made by my daughter. In many respects I regret that I have not flown the flag since Desert Storm. As a country, our beliefs and heritage will continue. Our forefathers laid a very secure and strong foundation.

As WPI alumna, I am proud to have been part of our college's history. As I said, I did not cheer at football games, I have not returned for one alumni event. I do not even know who you are.

As the country flag was dusted off to fly from my home again, my spirit for WPI is born with your touching e-mail. I may be the lost alumna but to the college I am obviously part of the fold."

-- Marsha Maxwell '73

"Thank you for your concern and outreach. I live in Delaware and everyone in my family is fine. We share in the nation's grief and we struggle with how to explain this to our young children.

We have watched black helicopters carrying the Pentagon victims to the morgue at Dover Air Force base. Last weekend we had to travel south and we saw Coast Guard and Navy ships patrolling the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay. It was a striking reminder that life will not be the same for some time to come. We are avid sailors and now we will look at the ocean and see not just the ocean which we must respect but the threat of what may come to harm us from across the ocean.

My condolences and sympathy go to those in the WPI community that have lost friends or family. Thank you again for your message and thank you to the students, faculty, and staff of WPI who have shown that every community in the nation is rallying to support what must come next and to mourn those that were lost."

-- Janet Ferl '83

"I reside safely in Worcester with my family. Thankfully, we suffered no loss of life from our immediate family or know of any of our friends that have.

Wednesday night at my synagogue, other members of our congregation were not as fortunate as us. At the time there was no known loss of life but one person knew of a fireman that was unaccounted for and another who's sister escaped from the 100th+ floor of the second building.

Two people I work with had family members in NYC. One was on the way to work, on the subway; the other was in the second tower near or on street level and escaped when the blast was heard and the building shook.

It seems like no matter where you are, you know someone that had a loved-one in or nearby the target areas.

Personally, I have made it a point to focus on work. I cannot remain glued to the TV or radio, I will not forget what happened nor will my children and wife. I am sincerely patriotic and strong willed. America and its People will recover but will never be the same."

-- Alan Freeman '80

"Living in Pittsburgh in the past few days has not been a very easy time at all. The initial reports of the plane crash in Somerset County were that the plane crashed onto the city and so clearly we were more frightened than you can imagine. Relief was only small when we realized that the plane was 90 miles outside the city as it left us wondering where the plane was really intended to hit. In the aftermath I believe that feelings in Pittsburgh are much the same as elsewhere, mainly those of shock and fear.

However there is strength in numbers and it is nice to know that even though I have left WPI I have not been forgotten."

-- Jonathan Tripp '00

"I wanted to write a short note to let you know that I appreciate what seems to be increased efforts over the past year or two to reach out and communicate more with the WPI alumni community. I feel those efforts have helped me feel a strengthened connection to the school and expect that others may feel similarly.

My wife and I are both WPI graduates of the class of 1986. We also both attended the Amos Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College graduating with the class of '90. Among graduate business schools, Tuck is widely envied by continually enjoying annual giving in excess of 65%+, with most classes in the past 20 years at greater than 80% participation. I believe the sense of community that regular communication creates contributes to the success Tuck has enjoyed. While this is by no means the sole factor, I do believe it to be an important one. I hope WPI continues in this path."

-- David W. Kolstad '86