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Aroostook County Reacts
By Kimberly Millard

     Tuesday, September 11, 2001 is a day that will go down in history as one of the most violent attacks on the United States of America that has ever occurred.   Such inhuman acts against our nation is still, even weeks after the horror, unfathomable to some.   The recurring pictures of exploding, plunging towers and people leaping to their death from windows tens of stories from the ground will not leave us.   We watch, seemingly safe in our remote part of the country, unable to comprehend the visions we're shown.   Are we seeing reality or the latest apocalyptic movie thriller?

     Unfortunately the horrific scenes are all too real.   The death toll climbs and the heart-wrenching stories of those who have lost loved ones continue.   At the time this story goes to print, the number of suicide terrorists on the four planes that were hijacked totaled 19, yet the number of heroes who fought to save and rescue innocent victims increases daily.   Men and women inside the Twin Towers who stayed to help the handicapped or elderly out before saving themselves, some losing their lives in the effort.   Hundreds of firefighters losing their lives while wrestling the twisted metal and falling concrete of the collapsing World Trade Center.   Airplane passengers, like you or I, banding together to stop terrorists aboard their plane, successfully averting another attack as they crash into an open field.

     These are heroes to be proud of.   As rescuers attempt to find those who are missing and somehow restore order to what looks to be a war-torn Manhattan, the people of Aroostook County are not just sitting back and wishing them well.   Heroes of our own are rising to meet any need they can.   A cry has risen from our nation; a cry that has reached the ears and the hearts of the County.   We have wept with those who've lost loved ones; we've stood speechless at the devastation of America's icon buildings; and we've sent up thousands of prayers along with the rest of the United States, for we are truly one nation under God.

     Though often it seems Aroostook County is so far removed from the rest of the world that trouble cannot touch us, the pain and devastation of the terrorist attacks on America has reached its ugly fingers into our lives as well.   In Aroostook County there are roughly more than 400 soldiers in the National Guard alone.   This number does not include the Reserves and the other branches of military, or the loved ones living in other states who are part of the military.   The rippling effects of the attacks are staggering.

     President Bush has already called tens of thousands of military to be ready.   Troops are already being sent into the danger zone.   "The whole military system is on the highest possible alert," said one County military man.   Any day, at any time, our men and women could be called to mobilize.   If and when this happens, no one knows where they might be sent, or what assignments they might be given.   If the National Guard is to be sent out in the very near future, most likely they would be called to New York to help with the rescue and clean-up mission in Manhattan.   We've seen the moving scenes of recent Special Operations Troops being sent to the Middle East.   Who will be next?

     For now our military men and women wait, knowing nothing more than what they've heard on television.   Families and loved ones watch and pray in hopes that somehow their soldiers will be spared from the worst of what is surely to come.   Military personnel have already been alerted to be ready and stay by the phone.   We have heard that war is coming along, sustained war that is certain to touch Aroostook County in ways that we would rather not imagine.

The Brotherhood Of Firefighters

     Grief has stirred us all since September 11, in one way or another.   But for the men and women firefighters who have pledged their lives to saving others, a great outcry is heard.   The number of missing firefighters in New York exceeds 300.   Here in Aroostook County, our firefighters join that cry-it is the sound of grieving over those who surrendered their bodies to the flames and flying debris in hopes of rescuing at least one citizen from the tumbling towers.

     "I've never had the feelings that I have now about losing so many firefighters at one time," says Presque Isle Fire Chief Jim Krysiak.   Krysiak is also Aroostook County's Fire Marshal.   "They gave their lives trying to get everyone out of those buildings and put them into a safe environment.   They were people who dedicated their lives to saving other people's lives, and in an instant they're gone."   Chief Krysiak's grief was evident over the great lost of lives, yet his pride in the present-day heroes could not be mistaken.   "It's ironic that when everyone else is running out of the building, firefighters are running into the building to make sure everyone is out, and to confront the danger head-on."

     As firefighters around the County attempt to heal while remembering those slain, Fire Chiefs must begin to look toward the future, and what our country's recent crisis means for us.   "I think the way we look at things from the fire service from now on are going to be greatly changed," explains Krysiak.   Suddenly Fire Chiefs and departments in general must begin to evaluate Aroostook County in a whole new way.

     Fire services around Maine are now on a heightened state of alert, looking at various hazards which could be identified as targets for terrorism.   Aroostook County has fewer of those hazard areas compared to Southern Maine, but fire departments in our communities are evaluating all possibilities.

     "We are looking at what we call target hazards in communities that could possibly result in terrorist activities," says Krysiak.   "It's not in the forefront of our mind, but it's always something we have to consider.   We have to ask, 'Is this a place where they could come in and hit us?'"   Krysiak explains that once these possible targets are identified, then fire services will consider various ways in which they might best handle any emergency situation that would arise.

     Though many firefighters in Aroostook County long to go to New York and help with the rescue and clean-up mission there, the need is already being filled by thousands of others.   But our men and women firefighters are not sitting back watching the television, they are actively working to gather funds to send to the families of those firefighters who were lost in the line of duty.   "We are the brotherhood of firefighters," says Krysiak.   "We want to make sure that the money we donate goes to the families of the firefighters that lost their lives."

     Fire departments in towns all over the County are holding fund-raisers to benefit those families.   Krysiak explains, "We are going to try to put together all the money raised by various fire departments throughout the state, and send one huge check to the New York Firefighters 9-11 Relief Fund.   Conceivably, if we have a concerted effort by everyone here and in the state, I feel we could raise a quarter of a million dollars.   One hundred percent of that money will go down to the families of those lost firefighters."   Krysiak emphasizes that everyone is welcome to contribute to this fund-raiser by bringing a check to their local fire department for the New York Firefighters 9-11 Relief Fund.

One Can Make A Difference

     For the last several weeks we have heard many stories of small town heroes seeking to help those they have never met.   Children selling lemonade on a street corner, car washes being held, singers performing, all in an effort to help the victims.

     One small town hero made a difference in a big way.   Barbara Violette, like most of us here in Aroostook County, felt as though she wanted to help those devastated by the terrorist attacks.   Yet what could one woman from Caribou, Maine do?   After voicing her heart to a New York truck driver, she was encouraged to take the plunge and make a difference.

     John Dunn, a truck driver from New York, told Barbara that if she would gather supplies to send to New York, then he would deliver them.   That's exactly what they did!   Barbara organized four drop off points in Caribou, Presque Isle, and Houlton, as well as traveled to pick up donations.   Items given came from all over the County - from Fort Kent and St. Agatha to Houlton. She boxed everything from toothpaste and socks, to blankets and non-perishable foods.   On September 20, Barbara met John in Houlton to drop off her donated items, where he then loaded them into his truck for transport to New York.   Two more names were added to our list of heroes.

     President Bush called a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance on September 14.   Hundreds of people throughout the County joined with people all over the world in a time of prayer.   Aroostook County also took part in lighting candles that evening in remembrance of those lost.   Dawn Bell of Limestone chose to go a little farther and organize a vigil at the Albert Michaud Park.   More than 300 people attended the vigil, along with four Limestone fire trucks filled with volunteer firefighters ready to honor the firefighters who died.   This is just one example of the ceremonies that were held that night.

     Now more than ever each one of us must rise to meet the need and heed the hurt of those who mourn.   We have heard the heart-wrenching stories of those who have lost loved ones, seeing many of these accounts on TV, and sadly, some of these stories originate even in Aroostook County.   Though there are a handful of parents in the County who have lost children or loved ones in the attack on the World Trade Center, Aroostook Magazine has chosen to allow those families to grieve in private.   We do not need to publish these stories or dig up more pain for those who are mourning, but we encourage all to reach out and love those who grieve.   We all have the ability to offer compassion and encouragement; we have the ability to be a hero.

One Nation Under God

     As of the writing of this story, the estimate of the number of people missing in New York and Washington had reached approximately 6333.   If each of those missing had only two loved ones who now grieve, we have in this country well over 12,600 men, women, and children who are suffering the anguish of losing a loved one.   Realistically this number is probably four times that. In one day, total devastation was wrought on the families of America.

     The sound of weeping is heard throughout the land.   But rising with the cries of those in mourning is the distinct sound of a nation crying out to a God who was once the foundation of our land.   "Whenever there is a tragedy, whether of this magnitude or a personal tragedy, people tend to ask why would God allow it," explains Pastor Mark Babin, Presbyter of the Aroostook Section of the Northern New England District of the Assemblies of God.   "God is a good God," he emphasizes, "God sits on a throne, but at the same time the world is full of men who are full of evil.   God is not looking for a people who He can bind up in chains and allow to do only good things.  He's looking for a people who will respond from the heart."

     Over the last weeks religious leaders have risen to point fingers at certain groups, placing blame for the destruction our country has suffered on a select few.   Pastor Babin insists that no such condemnation should be put on anyone.   "It's easy to point a finger at evil, but all of us at some point has had evil in our hearts and God doesn't suddenly punish us."   Pastor Babin goes on to say, "God has not turned His back on America.   This nation is founded on Godly principles even though there may be things in our nation that are not pleasing to God-certain decisions that have been made in the past or certain laws favoring certain things-but God has not turned His back on America."

     Pastor Babin has been encouraged by the nation's reactions after the terrorist attacks.   Often you can't watch a story or news release relating to the Pentagon or World Trade Center without hearing something about God or prayer.   The healing result of this is bringing a nation together.   "We are seeing a nation coming together," he says, "not just as far as having one mind, but also together as a nation under God where boldly political leaders are standing up for God.   There are prayer meetings and looking to God, asking God to bless our nation."

     There is change coming.   We have heard many times that our country will never be the same after this.   Where do we go from here?   "I see our nation at a crossroad where we are either going to begin to lean on the teachings and principles of our forefathers which this nation was built on--Godly principles and the Word of God-or we are going to allow certain individuals to put the fear of having that type of nation in us and walk in the total opposite, making us worse than what we are or should be," Pastor Babin says.

     As our President has been encouraging us, we must pray.   Pray for the healing and comfort of those who've lost loved ones and pray for our soldiers who are being sent to war.   One of the hardest things that we might ever have to pray for is our enemies.   "Look at Jesus on the cross," says Pastor Babin.   "He prayed it so well when He was being nailed to a cross, being crucified, probably one of the most cruel deaths known to mankind, and He said, 'Father forgive them for they don't know what they are doing.'   If Jesus can pray that on the cross than we can pray that even in the light of what's happened."

     Now is the time for our nation to rise up strong.   We will not be defeated by our enemies who hide in the darkness.   We must remember our roots, our country's foundation which is stronger than any force that might try to come against it.   Pastor Babin spoke words that will beat strong in each American's heart when he said, "I would encourage people to continue to stand as one nation under God.   Wave the flag high, pray, and seek the face of God.   Pray for our President and leaders, that God would give them wisdom and use them not just to lead this nation, but to lead the world."

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