Name: Pat Bagby () on Wednesday, September 12, 2001 at 19:47:29
E-Mail: disc0pat@aol.com
Maiden: Kavanaugh
Class: 64
City and State: New York
Message: Hello fellow Cougars. I thought about writing last night, but there is too much going on here, to state the obvious. Just to say quickly that my family and myself are all okay, but have heard many stories of missing friends and relatives from many people.
Some random thoughts: I look outside and cannot believe the WTC is gone. It is like seeing the house across the street suddenly disappear. It was such a huge landmark, you could see it from all over. And now all we have seen for 2 days is smoke, constantly billowing. (Today it is coming in our direction, unfortunately, and it is very foul. I pray that a second tragedy does not occur, of problems from asbestos and other inhaled gasses and other noxious material.) My son who worked farthest downtown had to go to Ireland the night before, leaving his 8-month pregnant wife here. He called in tears, but she is okay, though she had to walk home to Queens across the 59th St. Bridge. Meanwhile my daughter and grandson were stranded at school because they were scared to ride the subway, so we picked them up, but then my son-in-law freaked when he couldn't find them. All were finally reunited. Then there is my other son, who also worked downtown, who viewed the whole thing, with a direct view of the WTC. He gave us horrific details both of what he saw and the chaos in his office as people watched it all unfold. It is all so unreal. We had to drive last night and you would swear that there was a curfew on, with few cars anywhere, besides emergency vehicles. There are many nationalities and religions in New York, and we saw mosques having to be guarded by the police, although I must say that most New Yorkers have been very kind and concerned for all of our citizens and more recent immigrants. At work, we had to stay in the hospital helping patients and staff deal with any issues or problems that might come up. So many people finally got phone calls from loved ones that were in the area but many more are awaiting news. A first-hand account of what the area was like just before and after the collapse was given to me by a young lady who was running with her boss, who could no longer run, and urged her to keep going. She never saw her boss again. She continued running as the first building collapsed. A man shoved her inside another building, not to protect her from debris but from the choking smoke. She finally walked home across the Brooklyn Bridge. My husband, who works near the 59th St. Bridge, said there was a constant stream of pedestrians all afternoon. We saw a police car escorting a Deer Park water truck into the city. But, most of all, we all saw on TV the horror that you all did. Pray for us all. And pray that we quickly find and punish, kill, or whatever, those responsible. Just remember that there are innocents on all sides and we should not behave like the terrorists and punish innocents as has been done here. Sorry this is so long. We are all still in a bit of shock and the healing time will be long and hard.

Name: JIM SLOEY () on Wednesday, September 12, 2001 at 19:39:00
E-Mail: iamwithchrishoodquitringingmydoorbell.com
Class: 66
City and State: rb, ca
Message: When I was 18-21 I was not ready to go off to Vietnam and fight what I considered a situation that we shouldn't never have gotten ourselves into. [So it's a preposition] In many respects, that has been proven by history, but please do not for a second let this be contrued as an attempt to minimize the sacrifices that many of my friends made, many made the ultimate sacrifice. I often said I would be more than willing to engage the Viet Cong at 26th street--anytime. Now that I am too old to fight by military standards a real invasion has occurred. I truly believe that it is an attack upon each of us and our love ones. And as a father of 5 sons, all approximate draft age who have their whole lives before them, I agree with Kathy Stonebraker, I don't want to see any of our young men killed over there. So why not take us old guys, especially us who nimbly avoided the draft in the 60's, [Baker?], let's go scavenger hunting. Besides the bounty on that ^&*%$#%&^& should be worth the trip. And oh by the way we don't do boot camp, just give us guns, tanks, jeeps and lots of air support [no scuds] and let us go. Could be new reality tv!
Like I said, just a sawed off Hillerich and Bradsby, and get me in close.

Name: Sharon () on Wednesday, September 12, 2001 at 19:33:59
E-Mail: hawthronehigh66
Maiden: Moore
Class: '66
City and State: Long Beach, CA
Message: I received an e-mail from Karen Hare in which the message asked everyone to wear red, white, and blue tommorrow and to turn your car lights on in memory of the missing and dead. I think this is a very good idea and will wear these colors with pride tomorrow. We have our flag outside and I am going to put a flag on my antenna. My brother-in-law's friend since high school, Tom Frost lost his daughter Lisa Frost on one of the flights from Boston. She had just graduated with honors from Boston College and was a beautiful young woman embarking on a new career. She will be in my prayers, as will all the victims and our country. Like all of us I am saddened, appalled and angry.

Name: Kathy Stonebraker () on Wednesday, September 12, 2001 at 18:43:17
E-Mail: stoney@qnet.com
Maiden: Lorig
Class: 76
City and State: USA
Message: Just heard on the radio that Congress is considering declaring war. While I believe we absolutely need to "clear some sand dunes" and rid the world of this EVIL, I'm also saddened at the possibility of even 1 more American boy or girl losing their life for such scum. We need to pray for our nation, stand behind the president in these awful times, and fly those flags high!! I've got one at home and one on the antenna of my car. I figure if we can do it for the Lakers when they won the Championship, it's time for the USA. Let's show everyone how this nation unites even more in times of trouble.

Name: Mary Hymes () on Wednesday, September 12, 2001 at 17:01:52
E-Mail: meowry@terragon.com
Maiden: Rose
Class: 70
City and State: Grants Pass, Oregon
Message: Anyone have a 1970 or 1971 HHS class ring for sale???

Name: Max Roelen () on Wednesday, September 12, 2001 at 17:01:35
E-Mail: mardel@jps.net
Class: 1974
City and State: Citrus Heights, CA
Message: I am sad but angered. To think of the millions of dollars spent by our fearless gov't on Capitol Hill each year to combat terrorist activities, research and manufacture high tech electronic intelligence equipment that can see what I do in the privacy of my own home from thousands of miles away and the so called smart bombs in the military and yet they can't seem to locate the whereabouts of bin Laden. I want everyone to know I was in Desert Storm/Shield. Folks, we didn't win the war. Sadam is still there and in charge. How many more madmen in the world is our gov't going to let distroy the lives of thousands before taking action? If the family pet dog goes rabid, what happens to it? GOD BLESS THE WORLD!!!

Name: Greg Jones () on Wednesday, September 12, 2001 at 16:29:55
E-Mail: gjones1052@aol.com
Class: 1973
City and State: Hawthorne, CA USA
Message: The way I see it, there should be 4 cruise missiles with 4 different names on them at the ready: one for Arafat, Bin Laden, Hussein, and Kahdafi. As far as repeatedly seeing replays of the crashes desensitizing us, it doesn't me because no matter how many times I see it I still can't believe it. As far as kids watching it, I say yes and for the parents to be there to answer questions. There is one thing that bothers me though; why haven't the bombs started falling on the Taliban and Afghanistan?

Name: Walter Holt () on Wednesday, September 12, 2001 at 15:30:18
Class: 66
City and State: Orange, CA
Message: Vickie I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your sister Bobbie. These are indeed trying times for all that have endured losses yesterday and we as Americans can only offer our prayers & support to those in need. It indeed is a time for all of us Americans to band together for the common good to unsure that an event such as this never again happens on our soil. But let us go about this task with clear heads knowing that those young lives we commit to eradicate this type of terror will be in jeopardy too. So let us impress on our leaders that if we commit to armed response that this time we commit to the final end and not waste those precious lives we send to do our battle. For that day will come and it is time to stop these kind of acts toward humanity once and for all. A Cougar Forever

Name: Patty Valencia () on Wednesday, September 12, 2001 at 11:27:40
E-Mail: pvalencia2@aol.com
Class: 1974
City and State: USA
Message: We've often read about American heroes in time of war. I've just heard the story of one of the Penn. flight passenger's cell calls to his wife. Paraphrasing, he told her that the plane was being hijacked and they were going to go down. Because they were going to die anyway, he and two others were planning to disrupt the hijacker's plans. He had called to say goodbye to his wife. That was the plane that missed its target in Pennsylvania- American heroes. In the coming days I'm sure that there are and will be told and untold stories of heroism on each of those downed flights, also in the midst of the rubble sites and in our land, skies and seas. I was comforted by the sounds of the military aircraft flying over my home last night. As in the past, I'm not fearful - I'm saddened. I'm also proud to see the flags flying in my neighborhood. Americans come in all colors, nationalities, etc. Let's not create suspicion within the body of our own citizenship - let's not even lose that one battle. Let's stand tougher about the importance of fighting for our freedom - even if it means postponing a few liberties. When we strike back, and I'm sure we will, let us stand united. And, ok, let us bomb the h -e - double-toothpick out of the terrorists and their safe harbors. God Bless America.
Amen to that, but really these people aren't afraid of death. They relish it. That's their ticket to heaven. These bin Ladens of the world don't work, and have lots of money. Let's take away their money. Whoever harbors them, let's take away their money too.

Name: Loretta Cuiper () on Wednesday, September 12, 2001 at 11:12:23
E-Mail: LCuiper@aol.com
Maiden: Morelli
Class: 62
City and State: Hawthorne, Ca
Message: We also are Flying our Flag, if you have a flag, please do the same, as was said, we need to stay united. We need to show the world we are a strong nation and support each other. All our prayers are with everyone of those who lost their life and their families. God Bless to All. Always a Coug

Name: Laura Porter () on Wednesday, September 12, 2001 at 10:47:31
E-Mail: dsnycrw@ivic.net
Maiden: Twitchell
Class: 79
City and State: Hemet, CA
Message: Hey Cougs....just wanted to pass on some news about a couple of Cougs in NYC...heard from another Cougar that Laura Berkel-Cohen (Class of '79) and family are fine and that Pete Tremblay was on vacation and is fine as well...continued prayers for the victims and their families!
Thanks Laura.....

Name: Chris Hood () on Wednesday, September 12, 2001 at 10:35:43
E-Mail: iuseragstomopmyfloor
City and State: U.S.A.
Message: I am a firm believer that the war starts at my front door. Yesterday some a-holes rang my doorbell. I can not believe the rhetoric by those that believe the “politically correct“ thing to do is rally other nations before responding. I agree John that a couple of cruise suppositories would persuade any nation sitting on the fence that ours is a good side to be on. And to those not on our side, enough said!
Get me close enough and I'll take this bin Laden guy out with the handle end of a sawed off Louisville Slugger.

Name: Tim Helble () on Wednesday, September 12, 2001 at 10:15:21
E-Mail: TKHelble@netscape.net
Class: 73
City and State: Columbia, MD
Message: Boy, what a day yesterday was in the D.C. area. I was sitting at my desk, and at around 9:45 a.m. I remember hearing one of our administrative people say something about how she had just heard that a plane crashed into the Pentagon. I hadn't heard about the WTC events yet, so I didn't really react right away. Then, for some reason I thought I'd better find out more about this, and I went over to her desk and asked her to turn her radio up. Then I heard all the details. You could look out the windows in my building and see the smoke rising from the other side of Rock Creek Park. I remember being surprised how close the smoke seemed to be, as we at Weather Service headquarters usually think of Virginia as being far from our end of town (north D.C./Silver Spring). Then I heard some people and a T.V. in the conference room on my floor and went in there just in time to see the first tower at the WTC collapse. Everyone was just sitting there with their mouth open. The boss said he'd understand if anyone wanted to go home. Then word went out that all Federal workers should go home and there was gridlock in the streets. I was asked to go around on my floor and tell everyone they should go home. Since there was a jam getting out of the parking structure, a lot of people im my complex were just standing around outside, almost as if there was a fire drill. We all felt stuck and a pretty worried, since a rumor was going around that another jet was circling Dulles (probably it was just a jet trying to land). Military jets were flying around on patrol. I gave two co-workers a ride home as they took the bus into work and of course the commuter buses didn't make any adjustments for early gov't dismissal. We all made it home by 1:00.
I think I spent the rest of the day at home staring at the T.V. The neighborhood kids were outside riding their bikes, skateboards, and scooters as if nothing had happened. I think seeing the disaster over and over seemed to have a desensitizing effect. Maybe it would have been better just to watch it once.
We don't know yet for sure if Bin Laden is involved in this, but he's already done enough to us to warrant the following punishment I've come up with. I suggest that, if we catch Bin Laden alive (and anyone else who was involved in this), next time some city hires a demolition crew to take out one of those large, multi-story buildings that we see get blown up on the news once in a while, we tie them up in heavy chairs and put them on the bottom floor an hour or two before the demolition. Let them see first-hand what it is like to have a building collapse on them.

Name: Maureen "Mo" Trott () on Wednesday, September 12, 2001 at 09:20:57
E-Mail: MoMo90250@aol.com
Maiden: Trott
Class: 1964
City and State: Hawthorne, CA
Message: For those that still live in the South Bay and have not seen the paper today, here are locations where you can go to donate blood if you are interested. THE AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DONATION CENTER AT 2814 SEPULVEDA BLVD. SUITE E, TORRANCE, accepts blood donations by appointment on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. To schedule an appointment or find out about public blood drives around town, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE. Also, TORRANCE MEMORIAL Medical Center, 3300 Lomita Blvd, prefers appointments. Call 310-517-4647 for information. LITTLE CO of MARY HOSPITAL, 4101 Torrance Blvd. Open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday thru Friday. Call 310-543-5843. KAISER Permanente Medical Center in Harbor City, 310-517-4349. County Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, in the hospital at 1000 W Carson St. near Harbor Gateway. Appointments are preferred, 310-222-2148. I'm calling today...how about you?
Thanks Mo.....

Name: Mike Riley () on Wednesday, September 12, 2001 at 08:31:44
E-Mail: mcriley@mtnhome.com
Class: 65
City and State: Moutain Home, AR.
Message: I think It's time we turn a part of the world into a very large beach. We need to clear the world of terrorists of any kind. Lets hope all of our kids in the military stay out of harms way. I have a friend who is a COUG that has two boys in the service. I hope they stay safe. NO MORE NICE GUYS Hope You All Stay Safe

Name: Joe Bell () on Wednesday, September 12, 2001 at 02:00:03
E-Mail: jb41jb@yahoo.com
Class: 59
City and State: Artesia CA
Message: Wow America's News Today. I told my Daughter- In-Law, that I'd take the Train on my next trip to see them! So, what if somebody gets mad at the Building I'm in here? Life in the big City, is no 'sure thing?' I remember the Hank Williams Song, "I'll never get out of this world alive." Hay, not much has changed this past 50 Years? But I got your 'Feedback' to get me though it. God Bless You All, and to All a good night.

Name: Gina Black Peck () on Tuesday, September 11, 2001 at 22:27:13
E-Mail: Gina_Peck@Yahoo.com
Maiden: Black
Class: 80
City and State: Los Angeles
Message: The meat of God's goats is too good for those hellish creatures...maybe we should let them eat their own evil-riddled flesh!! Did you see the Palistinians party in the street? Amen, John! We should level their country and save the world any more grief. Unfortunately, there are so many of them here, we would have to do a mass deportation as well. Can you imagine the terror of the poor people on the planes? Do we need to put armed security personel on all our commercial aircraft? I only hope Bush's promise to hunt them down and punish them plays out as hard as we hope for. My flag follows the sun! Interestingly, I watched Band of Brothers on Sunday evening, and they had survivors in the beginning, and one man was trying to explain that our country had just been attacked...I GOT THE MESSAGE!

Name: Sharon Branigan () on Tuesday, September 11, 2001 at 21:28:33
E-Mail: srbranigan.srb@verizon.net
Message: Sue is right - Everyone, PLEASE FLY YOUR FLAG TODAY, AND EVERY DAY. Take it down at dusk and put it back up at dawn. A physical and symbolic declaration of our UNITY AND RESOLVE. We will NOT bow to terrorists. My flag has been flying since noon. It gives me great pride and courage to look out my window and see it flying in the breeze.

Name: Beverly Tobey () on Tuesday, September 11, 2001 at 19:19:04
E-Mail: tobeyhome@mac.com
Maiden: Adams
Class: 59
City and State: Simi Valley
Message: Thanks, John for the website. Addictive, yes; therapeutic, definitely! Today we are all in shock, anger and sorrow. A lady at a Simi Valley (CA) hardware store stared numbly at a radio behind the counter, her thoughts with the airline passengers who had to watch helplessly as they were carried into the Trade Center. Countless tragedies today will reveal many heroes as time goes on. Peace to all. Keep the Faith Cougs. Bev.
Thanks Beverly...

Name: Bob Melendrez () on Tuesday, September 11, 2001 at 18:07:31
E-Mail: Strongheart@pacificwest.com
Class: 1971
City and State: Back in the South Bay
Message: Dear Friends, please do not give in to fear. It is the time to unite with courage and determination. That we have defended other nations with strength and resolve, it is merely a fraction of that which we will defend ourselves... Let us embrace all that is real and tangible in our lives, our families and loved ones. And, let us unite in the manner that every other nation on Earth has under-estimated... American Pride, as it is with Cougar Pride, We are One!
Well said, thanks Bob, and has anyone noticed there is NO WAY to get through to the Red Cross?

Name: Tressa Coco () on Tuesday, September 11, 2001 at 16:38:02
E-Mail: tressas@criterionmachineworks.com
Maiden: Gerkin
Class: 61
City and State: Tustin, CA
Message: What a sad, incredibly horrible day for America. I use to feel so safe..I find myself reevaluating my life today. I wanted to answer your feedback, Michael Burt. I left Hawthorne in 1964. Our house was at the corner of 129th & Prairie. My mother later moved across Hawthorne Blvd. to the West, and I continued to visit her until her death two years ago. I watched the decline of Hawthorne and was so outraged when she got mugged - and then later her friend. I wanted her to stop taking her walks - but she insisted. She was stopped almost daily by someone asking for change. I was so disallusioned by the area - I hated to visit. I hope the city makes some changes - I haven't been back in 2 years!!!!! On a positive note - I love this site and all the memories that surface after visiting EVERY DAY!!! Thank you John.
Thanks Tressa, this is the OLD Hawthorne......

Name: Susan King () on Tuesday, September 11, 2001 at 15:53:09
E-Mail: sueking18@aol.com
Maiden: Bierman
Class: 1974
City and State: Thousand Oaks, CA
Message: Unable to lend my support in any direct fashion to those who need ALL of us today, I just returned from posting my American flag on my house. Today I can give my symbolic support to show my deep and unwavering love of my country. God Bless America. We will prevail.

Name: Cindy Colby () on Tuesday, September 11, 2001 at 15:48:57
E-Mail: cindycolby@att.net
Maiden: Maxson
Class: 63
City and State: Laguna Hills, CA
Message: Thank you for the comment about eating cruise missiles, I couldn't have said it better myself. This is a tragic day for Americans, let us not forget how important our freedom is. I just hope that my grandchildren can have it even half as good as we have had it. Again John, thanks for being there for us.
That's the way I feel about this whole thing. It's always US who try to cause NO collateral damage. It's always US who surgically try and remove the "Head of the Asp". It's always US who have to do it COVERTLY so as not to rile the ultra-liberal.
I say we remove a few sand dunes, turn the desert into one big sheet of glass. Then TAKE the oil and give it to the world, and let the rich Bin Ladens of the planet eat goat meat. Just my personal opinion.......

Name: Tracey Martinez () on Tuesday, September 11, 2001 at 15:40:07
E-Mail: tntmart@netzero.net
Maiden: Keith
Class: 1974
City and State: Manassas, VA
Message: We moved to the Northern Virginia area in February. I work for a defense contractor in Chantilly, VA. Our office is just 5 miles from Dulles. We have a number of employees who work in the Pentagon. I've heard that they are all accounted for.
Other people I know here are affected by today's events. Because of all the confusion and communications problems in the area, many do not know the status of loved ones.
My husband and I are safe. Please keep warm thoughts for those whose fates are not yet known. This is truly a sad time in America...
Amen......