B.W. COOK -- THE CROWD

Stories continue to circulate concerning the tragedy of Sept. 11. We

have all been touched by the loss of life on four hijacked jetliners, two

of the world’s tallest structures and America’s bureaucratic center of

government, the Pentagon. It seems that many of us have a personal

connection.

Perhaps a friend or relative was lost. Perhaps you heard the story of

a friend of a friend that was lost. Or perhaps you just witnessed the

events via television and felt that “there but for the grace of God go

I.”

I shared with you last Wednesday my fear concerning family members

possibly lost at the World Trade Center. I sadly report that my cousin

Valerie Silver was among the victims on the 104th floor of 1 World Trade

Center.

Valerie was an extremely bright and successful young woman who had

risen to the top of her field as an equities trader. She started at the

lowest levels of the brokerage business working for Cantor Fitzgerald at

its Los Angeles office some 20 years ago, and was transferred to New York

in the mid 1980s. There she built her career and her life. Married to

theatrical producer Sam Ellis, Valerie lost her life in the flames of the

conflagration.

A chilling e-mail came to me Thursday from her brother. He shared with

friends and family members the fact that Valerie, like so many other

victims, was on the telephone at the time of the horror speaking to an

associate in the Los Angeles office of Cantor Fitzgerald.

The gentleman in Los Angeles has declined to share the details of that

final conversation until family members approve the release. In essence,

the phone conversation is witness to the final moment of life for

hundreds of trapped souls unable to escape the heat, smoke and flames

that would consume them.

God bless Valerie. God bless America.

As Americans we can be proud of many things. Amid the chaos and the

terror confronting us, one aspect of our collective identity that is most

compelling is the American pursuit of fair play, even in the dim light of

national tragedy.

The echo of voices on the local level, at events that have been

unfolding in all circles of this community, resoundingly express the

sentiment that hate shall not diminish us as a people.

In the face of such inhumanity, it would be so easy to hate. So easy

to hate all Arabs. So easy to hate any individual, race or religion that

might be associated with the events that have ripped at the fabric of the

American soul.

Yet, people are expressing tolerance and restraint in dealing with

revenge and retaliation. Make no mistake, citizens of Newport-Mesa join

with most Americans in a united front to eradicate terrorism and bring to

justice those responsible for the act of war perpetrated against this

nation.

This desire to seek justice is tempered by an equal desire, uniquely

American, not to point a blanket finger of blame in the direction of any

particular ethnic group. Of this we can be very proud.

In this light, we are certainly world leaders. Whatever action is

taken by our government in the days and weeks ahead, we can be certain

that it is done with a moral imperative to protect the citizens of this

nation and freedom-loving people of the world from violence that is

wrought by hatred. And this, and perhaps this alone, will always separate

us from our enemies.

It will not be easy or simple. But we will prevail. We will survive

and we will prosper again. And when we reach this plateau, the entire

world will know that there is a difference between right and wrong, and

that goodness will ultimately prevail over evil.

The Newport-Mesa community desperately seeks both security and solace

in a very uncertain time. Like the rest of America and the free world we

mourn the loss of victims, and we fear the loss of liberty and our

precious way of life. Our fears are exemplified by a fragile stock market

and a very sensitive economy.

The only way we can create a continued sense of security is to be

bullish concerning both our business and family lives. For this reason,

Orange Coast organizations have chosen to proceed with a myriad of events

slated on the fall social calendar.

While many gatherings were canceled last week for the appropriate

reason, it is time to collect our community effort and continue to do the

good work for both local and national/international concerns.

Especially praiseworthy are many local organizations, which are not

politically oriented, asking for donations to assist the Red Cross and

the fire and police funds in New York and Washington, D.C. Major local

retailers including South Coast Plaza and Fashion Island are planning

campaigns that will start very soon to help rally the local crowd and

raise significant dollars.

Charitable organizations including the guilds of the Orange County

Performing Arts Center, South Coast Repertory Theater and many others are

following suit. Next week, the Balboa Bay Club will reopen in Newport

Beach showing off a brand new facility. It will do so in conjunction with

the Newport Beach Fire Department, which will be on hand to collect

donations earmarked to assist firefighter’s families on the East Coast.

The Red Cross is working very closely with Hoag Presbyterian Hospital

collecting blood. Donations are still very much appreciated.

If you are wondering how you can personally help, check with a local

charity that you may already be involved with and you will probably find

that a community effort is underway. If not, start something on your

own. This is another of the admirable American qualities; the spirit of

giving is truly a part of our collective conscience.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.