Dear Colleagues:

����������� As you know, four airplanes were hijacked in the United States on September 11, 2001.� Two of them were crashed into the World Trade Centers; one was crashed into the Pentagon; and one crashed in rural Pennsylvania.� These events occurred because of the work of terrorists.

����������� Many, many of our friends and colleagues around the world have expressed sympathy and regret.� Some have asked if any of our members were killed by the attacks.� Some have asked how they could help.

����������� I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your prayers and the support you have given.� You will read an interview of Mike Hingson in this issue of the Monitor.� He was in the World Trade Center but was not injured.� Insofar as I have been able to determine, none of our members were killed or injured physically.� However, a number of blind people face severe economic hardship.� We have been offering such help as we have, and we thank those who have joined with us in this effort.

����������� Finally, let me assure all of you that the spirit of the Federation, like the spirit of other Americans, is alive and well.� We believe in our nation, and we will work to support it.� We mourn the dead and the injured, but we also plan to help in the rebuilding.� We look to the future; we will help to make it what it ought to be.

Cordially,

Marc Maurer, President