To my friends in the DC area

Subject: To my friends in the DC area
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 23 Oct 02 - 10:16 AM

Hello to those of you I know in the DC area. I've been a bit into my own world of late. My Daughter going off to the land of sand, my work being interupted with troops going off to the land of sand, and just the general run of things here.

I was looking at a map of this goofy shooter's area of operations and suddenly realized I have been in those areas visiting with some of you. I want you to know that not only am I burning a candle for my kids but for you also. I don't pray in the sense of being on my knees - but as one Indian told me, "If you think it the Creator hears it." I've been thinking about you all a lot.

Be safe - be well - and continue to be the wonderful people you have always been. I am keeping you in my heart -

Love to you for your kind hospitality and warm hearts.

Your friend - Steve

Subject: RE: To my friends in the DC area
From: 53
Date: 23 Oct 02 - 10:18 AM

Best wishes and LOL.

Subject: RE: To my friends in the DC area
From: Amos
Date: 23 Oct 02 - 10:32 AM

I have a sister-in-law who lives in the center of the range, uses the Home Depot and one of the gas stations he has hit. Hope they bust him fast...and in the meanwhile I can only echo Norton1's beatiful sentiments.

A

Subject: RE: To my friends in the DC area
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Oct 02 - 10:53 AM

Thanks, SteveBro, for starting this. I've been thinking along those same lines since this started.

Thinking about you all and giving thanks that you stay safe,

luvyakat

Subject: RE: To my friends in the DC area
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 23 Oct 02 - 10:57 AM

I add the prayers and concerns of my wife and I for all you wonderful folks down there in D.C. and the area. And for all those whose paths we've never crossed, whatever their walk of life..

Jerry and Ruth

Subject: RE: To my friends in the DC area
From: catspaw49
Date: 23 Oct 02 - 11:07 AM

I too want to thank you Steve for starting this. Initially, many of our DC friends downplayed this, but I am uncomfortable not saying something as well.

All of the 'Catters in the DC area, and there are so many, are in our thoughts now, almost minute by minute. I understand the need not to become paralyzed by this thing, but I'm sure that I speak for many 'Catters in saying that we are hoping and praying this ends soon and with no more loss of life, and most of all that all of you will be safe.

I fear this guy will have to make a serious mistake to be caught. He is simply playing with the police at this point and flaunting his ability to do whatever he cares to do. Hopefully that arrogance will help in finding him, but at this point it seems he stays more than one step ahead of the authorities.

Karen and I implore you to please take all the precautions possible and keep yourselves safe.

Pat & Karen

Subject: RE: To my friends in the DC area
From: Murph10566
Date: 23 Oct 02 - 11:22 AM

In all our Thoughts and Prayers -

We hope your Angels are watchful and vigilant -

Stay Safe,

Murph

Subject: RE: To my friends in the DC area
From: Alice
Date: 23 Oct 02 - 11:49 AM

Take care everyone. Scary especially for children, so they need to spend lots of time with parents to feel reassured. Stay safe.
Alice

Subject: RE: To my friends in the DC area
From: KathWestra
Date: 23 Oct 02 - 01:31 PM

Thanks, all of you, for your touching concern. It is surely very frightening, and it's good to know that those of us who live in the Silver Spring area very near a number of the attacks (Ferrara, BillD, lamarca, fortunato, Songster Bob, Knitpick, Charlie Baum, I, and many others)are in your thoughts. We have been hearing from family and friends on both sides of the Atlantic, and it's a comfort to know we have such a good network of support.

Big Mick stayed at my house the night after the Getaway, and was unable to get on the highway as planned Tuesday morning because of roadblocks. You'll be glad to know he made it home safe and sound (though much later than planned -- his e-mail logged him in at 12:45 a.m.) this morning after a 13-hour drive from Silver Spring to Wayland (near Grand Rapids), Michigan.

Warm thoughts, and thanks to all for the good wishes. Kathy

Subject: RE: To my friends in the DC area
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 23 Oct 02 - 05:05 PM

May your god go with you. Guard yourself and your loved ones, and remember we are thinking of you.
Giok

Subject: RE: To my friends in the DC area
From: Maryrrf
Date: 23 Oct 02 - 05:08 PM

I was in Scotland and for part of the time in Northern Ireland when all this started. For the first week I was camping in the Highlands, no phones or televisions so I didn't know anything about it. When I got back home to Virginia the first thing I heard was that there'd been a shooting farther south, in Ashland, VA not far from where I live. Then the sniper seemed to have moved back to the DC area. Horrifying.

Pat Troy's Pub in Alexandria was pretty full last Sunday night though, so it seems most people are going about their business normally (as if they had a choice). By the way, when are some DC mudcatters going to come to Pat Troy's on a Sunday evening so I can meet them (and not just leave an anonymous note to intrigue me?)

Subject: RE: To my friends in the DC area
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Oct 02 - 06:09 PM

May the sniper trip while carrying that loaded gun and put himself out of the picture.

SRS

Subject: RE: To my friends in the DC area
From: Donuel
Date: 23 Oct 02 - 06:20 PM

The first shooting on Randolf occured 3 blocks from us and others at 5 of the stores we frequent. Bobby sometimes can not go to school due to the Roadblocks on Conn. Ave.
Our neirghbor had their car blocked by police at a shooting site. When they went to get it there was still a puddle of blood underneath it.
The Pentagon Plane crash and Anthrax at our postal facility last year was easier for many to cope with.

Subject: RE: To my friends in the DC area
From: Donuel
Date: 23 Oct 02 - 06:27 PM

We knew the bus driver killed this week.

We have also had three large gun shop burglaries with the one this week using a stolen Ford Explorer to crash through the front wall.

Neighbors are deciding who is suspicious, calling tip lines and ceasing communication with next door neighbors they have known for years.

Still tommorrow is another day and I try to keep my sense of humor about these things.

http://www.angelfire.com/md2/customviolins/onion5.jpg

Subject: RE: To my friends in the DC area
From: Amergin
Date: 23 Oct 02 - 06:44 PM

yes...and i have been burning candles for a friend who's brother was in Bali...they had to identify him by dna testing....

Subject: RE: To my friends in the DC area
From: Ferrara
Date: 24 Oct 02 - 12:53 AM

Steve, and other friends who posted here, thank you for your good wishes. This has been very stressful and sad.

When I was in my teens I read a quote, written many years ago: "A man can make himself safe from anything -- except fortune, and fate, and kings, and violent men."

It remains true.

I think one reason this hits so hard is that it is ongoing and has spread fear to so much of the area. There are far more violent and tragic things in the world, as Amergin's post reminds us. Usually though, a shooting incident or crime either is over before most of us hear about it, or is taking place "over there." With this sniper's attacks, a very wide area of people know they are in the midst of an attack and it feels very immediate, it is having a visible daily and hourly impact on our lives.

Still most of the people I know are working hard not to let anxiety rule. We don't intend to be "terrorized" and try to take the police presence, road blocks, media hype, all the indirect reminders -- but not the deaths and injuries -- as calmly as possible.

Thank you again, Steve, for starting this thread. A friend said today that she has gotten many phone calls from friends in other cities since this started and it is always comforting to know other people care and wish you well.

Subject: RE: To my friends in the DC area
From: Lyrical Lady
Date: 24 Oct 02 - 01:13 AM

I am one of those people who care and wish you well. My thoughts are with all the children especially. I remember when the "Bay of Pigs" was the greatest threat in my childhood..took me years to get the sound of the air -raid drills out of my system!
This seems so much scarier to me! Safe and Peaceful thoughts to all of you!

LL

Subject: RE: To my friends in the DC area
From: Maryrrf
Date: 24 Oct 02 - 12:31 PM

They may possibly have apprehended the sniper(s). Let's pray that it's so.