What happened to day, honestly is no surprise. As a Firefighter, I have been trained in anti-terrorism, because it was inevitable. What I never dreamed though, was the use of civilian life in such a desperate measure. I always thought, as did my peers, was that it would be a car bomb, anthrax...anything to cause fear and hurt to the nation that is so hated. We are hated by alot of people...and unfortunatly, not all foreign. The oklahoma City bombing proves that terrorism is not always due to nationality or origin. To jump to conclusions and generaliztions about all people of a certain origin would be wrong. Why? Because Tim Mcveigh and any other US citizen who helped him was not from the Middle East, but from a neighborhood just like the one I live in. He even served on the US Military, like me. Does this mean that I am capable of such a horrendous act? HELL NO! Like the US, other countries have there KKK and other supremist groups that do nothing but cause fear and hatred. What totally disturbs me though is that unlike the US who tries to stop this domestic terrorism, some countries hide and help these people who do not care about human life. This does not mean, however, that all people from that country are terrorists.
Seeing all the sympathies from fellow AH pilots, humans like myself, helps me see that people of all countries feel that pain that I feel today. I pray that this will be stopped from happening here in the United States, or anywhere else in the World. And I pray that the US finds and punishes the cowards that have done this, not only for revenge of our lost, but to stop any further actions they may take on us or any other Nation.
My condolences and prayers go out to the INNOCENT victims, and to the families of the victims in all cities where this has reached. And to the terrorists both alive, and the suicide terrorists...I hope you BURN IN HELL for all the pain and sorrow you have caused.
I am saddened further by the loss of many of my fellow Brothers and Sisters in the Fire Service. The price of rescuing is often great, and I salute them for there bravery. Tears of sorrow and prayers are all I can offer them. I have volunteered to go to NY if my department gets called.
With sorrow
Nate Osborne
IAFF Local 1660
Portland Oregon, United States of America
