America’s
Dark Anniversary in D.C.
September 11, 2002
by Steven John Fellman
NATO Washington Counsel
It’s
early in the morning on Sept. 11, 2002. As I sit down to
write this column, the sun is rising and the sky is clear.
All across the nation, this is a day of remembrance.
During
the past year, I have talked to motion picture exhibitors
all across the country about the events of 9/11/2001 and
their effect on the industry. After the shock and horror
of watching the twin towers at the World Trade Center disintegrate,
the tragedy at the Pentagon and the crash of the United
flight in the fields of Pennsylvania were almost anticlimactic.
A new era in the history of America had begun, and exhibition
shouldered its share of the burden.
The
motion picture industry rallied to hold a nationwide benefit;
the revenues collected from theatres across the nation were
donated to families of the 9/11 victims. New security measures
were adopted in theatres and employees received special
training in dealing with emergency situations. In movie
theatres, airports, train stations, crowded streets, and
in the neighborhoods in which we live we all developed a
new pattern of alertness.
As I
prepared to leave my home this morning, Washington was on
a “Code Orange” alert. There have been vague hints
that the terrorists will try to engage in another reprehensible
act of horror on this anniversary date.
This
is a day when we will all remember the events of 9/11. And
because we remember not only the horrific acts of terror
but also the acts of courage that followed, and because
we remember the principles of freedom, equality, and opportunity
that have made our country great, we go forward positively,
and continue to do our jobs, support our families, and work
together for the betterment of all.
When
I watched the various programs on television this morning
and listened to the “experts” talking of the possible
dangers of a dirty nuclear device, germ warfare, more hijackings,
car bombs and you name it, I feel very proud of our staff
at Galland, Kharasch, Greenberg, Fellman & Swirsky and
of the hundreds of thousands of other workers in Washington
and New York who have this day, this day of remembrance,
stood proud, kissed their loved ones goodbye, gotten in
their cars, and driven to work. We remembered. We let the
world know that America will stand for the principles for
which it was created. 
