This special issue of the Ambassador is published to acknowledge all those families and individuals who have sacrificed and suffered so much in this attack on our nation. Many of your fellow Friendship Force members were in Belgium and France on an exchange that fateful day of September eleventh. This Special Edition of The Ambassador contains some of their recollections so that you may know of the love and support that flows from our fellow members, and all people of good will, in Europe.
Surely, our lives have changed. We know so few names of the victims but we do know the names of hundreds of American heroes. Often it is in tragedy that we find a wellspring of courage and resolve. I believe this to be especially true as we each look to our commitment as members of Friendship Force. This is not a time to isolate us from the world. Rather, we need to embrace our common bonds. In May 2002, we will host Ambassadors from Cairo, Egypt. I have just written an E-mail to their club President assuring her of our continued desire to share our friendship and our homes.
Finally, I would share with you a portion of a memorandum I received from Constance Swank, FFI's new Executive Director:
"Thank you: Friendship Force International would like to thank the many members and friends around the world who have reached out to us and to the people of the United States during this time of great tragedy. Such events remind us that we are a global community. We take renewed strength from knowing that the friendships forged through the work of this organization sustain us in difficult times. And we are mindful, even as we mourn, that the world needs a Friendship Force."
Any member, who would like to share an expression of sorrow, or any personal reflection, may do so by contacting FFI at www.friendship-force.org . Bob Schwagerl, President
Dee and Bob Schwagerl's Reflections
On September 6d', we left home. We were Ambassadors visiting a land, to quote our guide, "filled with the misery of history." We were to stand at Bastogne, which land had been held by our brave soldiers and paratroopers. In Luxemburg, we visited the ground held for eternity by five thousand seven hundred of our heroes. "It's a small world" is something we frequently sing. We proved it so, when Hy Badler met former members of the French Foreign Legion that knew of his Division during WWII. A truly touching moment occurred when a band struck up the French National Anthem and Jean Pierre stood, hand over heart, and cried. We went on to visit Jean's town of Verdun. We entered a shrine holding the unidentified remains of over 130,000 French and German soldiers. The loss and tragedy that covered this ground contradicted the peaceful landscapes.
We walked in a past filled with ancient and not so ancient examples of man's inhumanity towards man. Then came the impossible. Evil revisited the world. Disbelieve, confusion fueled by lack of information, and finally the terrible reality, entered our little world. We grieved, and continue to, with Walt and Ellen at the loss of their nephew. We were also to learn, on returning home, that a second cousin of Dee's had been lost.
With the cancellation of flights, our exchange was to continue. Our Belgium hosts sought many ways to express their support. Our final night's farewell began with a prayer service. We were led by in prayer by Father Maartin, the local priest with whom Dee and I had spent the week in his rectory. Both individually, and as a group, we were to be much consoled by his presence and prayer. On Sunday Dee and I attended Mass at his church. He proceeded to explain to the congregation our presence and the goals of Friendship Force. We were then invited to join the children around the Alter, to join hands and pray with them, and then to exchange a gesture of peace. Their young faces shown as they shook our hands. Many said how sorry they were at the tragedy in New York. We arranged for flowers to be placed in the church the following week as a thank you from all the Ambassadors.
Every day held a story. One day we purchased the makings for a home cooked dinner for our host, Father Maarten. The person at the counter asked, "are you from the UK?" No, we answered, from the US. He expressed his sorrow and began to cry. In Paris, we came upon a shrine to the French victims of terrorism, the French President and Prime Minister had placed flowers to honor our dead. At a Basilica overlooking Paris, a young nun asked our prayer intentions and promised prayers for all the victims and their families. Finally, we experienced a landing in Charlottesville. Thank you to all who came to greet us. You will never know how important that was!
A global tragedy brought on by hate followed by a global response founded in love and compassion. God bless all men and women of good will. God Bless America! Bob Schwagerl.
From Lynda Johnson
We felt that it was such a great opportunity to be able to see Belgium through the eyes of the people of the country. Chuck had been there before several times, and I had been there twice. But this time it was different, learning about the country from our hosts and their fellow club members.
Although our visit was marred by the terrible news of September 11th, we appreciated the outpouring of sympathy from the Belgians, especially the ones who overheard our speaking English and came up to us on the streets.
Although the trip was a great success, thanks mainly to Chuck Barbour's heroic efforts on our behalf, this is one time that I think all of us are very thankful to be home
From Muriel and Hy Badler
Today the sun is shining, an important sign. We are all feeling sad at leaving Europe for home. At the same time, we are anxious to get back to the USA. We have, of course, been following the accounts of the tragedy in the newspapers and on TV. But, this is not the same as being home.
Our trip has been a great one. The hosting families tried their hardest to make our stay comfortable and interesting and they succeeded. Our assigned hosts were away the first three nights. Therefore, we spent those nights with Chuck and Pat Barbour at their hosts, Noella and Etienine. They had only one guest room and gave Hy and I their bedroom. They spent the three nights between a futon on the living room floor and a single bed. This was above and beyond what was required, but much appreciated.
On Monday, September 10th, we settled in with our original hosts, Therese and Paul Vargraght. Following a relaxed and delicious dinner, and some conversation, we retired. The next morning, it was off to a day of sightseeing in Antwerp. We visited the diamond district (no samples), joked about the weather (liguid), took a tram tour of the city, and off to lunch.
WOW! ! The TV was on at the restaurant, tuned to CNN, and we learned only that a plane had hit the World Trade Center. We continued on after lunch and it was not until we returned to Oudenaarde that we were aware of the total tragedy. What a terrible shock! Paul and Therese watched TV with us, crying and shaking about this ruined area of New York and the thousands of possible deaths. Our E-mail to our children confirmed that they were OK, but some they knew were not. The next day flags at public buildings flew at half-staff, and US flags hung in many places.
On Friday, prayers were offered at all places of worship and at noon a moment of national public prayer. Tears flew from our eyes as we received this outpouring of care and especially the concern of our Friendship Force hosts. We signed many visitor books indicating that we had been to an area that wanted to express its condolences. Our thoughts may return often to these tragic moments, but we will also remember how we were cared for.
Flanders Exchange: A Remembrance from Hy Badler
A Friendship Force exchange generates, by itself, sufficient memorable moments. Our Charlottesville Friendship Force exchange to Flanders, Belgium has more than enough history to trigger thoughts worthy of remembrance. Unfortunately, some of these remembrances leaves one both sad and in awe of mans ability to perform acts which result in reflections that can last for all times.
During our stay in Flanders, we felt the continuing flow of events that triggered our awe and sadness. What had occurred in the US will always be remembered by our society. The tragedy of Flanders did not trigger the same worldwide condemnation as that which occurred at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. This reaction was not due to the scale of the acts themselves, but in our new ability to display such acts vividly and in real time through our news media.
As Americans in Flanders, other reflections will be made whenever we have occasion to discuss and reflect on this exchange. One reflection will be the impact of these American events on the people of Europe. A vivid feeling of comradeship was apparent. The European's sadness and sympathy was outwardly manifested and deeply moving. Moments of silence and prayer in their houses of worship touched us deeply. Flags everywhere were flown at half-mast. Each act had the purpose of expressing their solem concern and support for America and its people.
We felt that the goals of Friendship Force were really being displayed, with the understanding of one set of people for another. We felt both sad and proud to be an American.
From Ellen Lindenmann
The most significant thought that remains with me about our trip to Belgium and France is the oneness I felt with all the people we met in Europe. Everyone showed concern regarding the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11th, while we were in Belgium. Our hosts were so supportive, when we discovered that my niece's husband, a New York City fireman was lost. He gave his life trying to rescue others.
Our hosts watched CCN with us every night. They kept encouraging us to call home and they wanted to know more about our relatives and their homes in New York. The priest in Oudenaarde, Father Maartin, conducted a special service at our farewell dinner. It included prayers, music, and many comforting words. Every cathedral and town hall had a memorial section with a proclamation of care, for us to sign.
Our sadness is mixed with gratitude for all the love and comfort we relieved.
From Walter Lindenmann
It was a bittersweet vacation excursion to Belgium and France.
Visiting our Friendship Force counterparts in South Flanders was obviously a delight and our hosts were warm and gracious. But, the tragic plane crashes into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon hung like a black cloud over the entire trip.
We first received word of the catastrophes that were unfolding after we had spent a full day sightseeing in Antwerp. We were all to meet at the train station at 4:00 P.M. for our return to our hosts in Oudenaarde. As we waited, we heard from passersby that an airplane had struck one of the towers and that it had crumbled. More information came to us as we boarded our train. We were told the hard to believe news that the towers of the Trade Center had collapsed and an attack had also been made on the Pentagon.
By the time the train returned us to our hosts, the tragic consequences of what had happened less than four hours earlier was clearly apparent to all of us. With tears in their eyes, our hosts greeted us at the railroad station. Among those there to meet us was the Reverend Maarten Piijnacker. A local priest, and the host of Bob and Dee Schwagerl, Reverend Maarten led all of host, Ambassadors, and us in an impromptu prayer in the railroad station parking lot. That evening was spent watching the grim details unfolding on CCN.
The next day, during our visit to the city of Bruges, it was moving to see an American flag in the cathedral along with a place for people to write their condolences. On Thursday mourning, in the local Town Hall, a TV crew was filming and interviewing visitors. Chuck and Linda Johnson were interviewed and asked to share their reflections, as was their host, Lilianne Ghysolinck That segment was to appear later that evening on local television. On returning to our hosts home that night we received a distressing phone call from the United States. We learned that the husband of our niece, a 34 year old New York City fireman ... Vincent Moeello... had evidently been one of the first firefighters in the World Trade Center before it collapsed. Listed missing, we can only assume he is among the dead.
The South Flander's club farewell was particularly moving. Father Maarten again led us in a prayer service before dinner. On Friday morning, we left Oudenaarde to begin our tour of France. At noon, Jose Allincky, our tour guide, stopped the bus, joining everyone in Europe, for three minutes of silence to remember those who died. It was moving. Throughout the remainder of our trip, seeing the American flag flown in sympathy for the United States of America.
From The Friendship Force Of Merseburg Germany President, Burkhard Muller
Dear Friends! We have seen in the television the attack on The World Trade Center in New York. We are shocked about the cowardly attack on the United States and all the democratic World.
In this time, our thoughts are with are friends from America. Hearty greetings to all friends of your club.
In hearty attachment, the members from the Friendship Force Club of Merseburg Germany
From Jean Pierre
As we departed Philadelphia, the group was very excited about the outbound to Belgium. All of us enjoyed our stay. Our hosts were very friendly and went out of their way to make us feel at home. My host, although, could not understand why I wanted ice in my glass of water.
September 11th was a reminder to me from World War II. One never knew when a bomb had your name on it.
I was very touched by the reactions of the people, as they offered their condolences and flew their flags at half-mast. A moment of silence was observed on Friday, September 14th. Our driver stopped the bus on the side of the road to let us pay our respects to the victims of the horrible terrorist attacks.
It was good to come home!
From our Canadian Friends
Dear Bob and Dee,
In the wake of the tragic events in your country, I wish to extend to you, in the name of our Friendship Force of the Canadian Capital Region, our most sincere sympathy.
I hope your plans to visit us will remain the same. Waiting to hear from you.
Jocelyne Tessier
On Tuesday evening, November 6t', at 7:00 PM, all Friendship Force members and their guests are invited to hear a presentation by:
Mr. William Quandt Vice-Provost Foreign Affairs University of Virginia Where: The International Center
Subject: The Current Crisis and Implications for the Arab and Israeli People
Admission: The evening's program is provided at no cost. However, you are requested to bring a fmger food to share at 7:00 PM. The program will commence at 7:30 PM.
While this presentation has been scheduled for sometime, with respect to the recent tragedies, this discussion will take on even more importance.
Bring a friend and introduce them to our efforts to bring about a world of peace.
Calendar of Coming Events
November 6th-Election Day and presentation by Dr. Quandt. See above. Note meeting location.
December Board Meeting-To be rescheduled from the 3rd.
December 9th-Holiday Party at the Lake Monticello Club House. Sunday at 5PM. Cost is $20.00 per person.
January 8, 2002-Tentative date for membership meeting at Pantops Ponderosa Restaurant. Meeting to start at 6:30PM after dinner on your own. This date will be confirmed.
This will be our last newsletter for 2001. This is Number VI of Volume 10. It has been fun!
Bob Schwagerl, thanks for your great interest and support this year. You have been faithful in getting press material to me.
Cheryl Kasper, you are going to be a great president! Your energy and enthusiasm this year has been something to behold. Best Wishes for an outstanding year!
Chuck Barbour, what can I say? Your planning for our Tenth Anniversary Party was awesome!
The Ambassador Friendship Force of Charlottesville Kenneth G. Smith, Editor 9 Leisure Court Lake Monticello, VA 22963