Letter: Let’s maintain focus on victims

Friday, Sept. 21, 2001 | 5:17 a.m.

I know I am not alone in my grief and sadness over the events of Sept. 11.

However, as one who, but for previously annoying scheduling conflicts, would have been in D.C. last week, I feel the need to share my thoughts about this tragedy.

Growing up, I heard many stories about the horrors of World War II from family members who survived Hitler's campaign of terror in Greece, so the word "war" hits too close for me.

My great-grandparents starved to death due to Hitler's cruelty in cutting off food supplies to the country.

My grandparents and parents nearly did.

War, even against a cowardly terrorist, is not noble, nor is it swift and merciful. It is ugly, and it is a long and painful process.

The technology of the Gulf War made it look more like a "blockbuster movie" or "video game" than the true reality of its bloodshed and loss of life.

If we wage this "War on Terrorism" I pray that it is not portrayed in the media as some continual "event" to watch, minute by minute. Let's not make a martyr out of this bastard. He is loving every minute of this attention.

President Bush had it right -- Osama bin Laden should remain the "faceless coward" that he is. Instead of bin Laden's scoffing face, we should see more faces of the victims, those whom the whole nation has joined together to mourn. Decorated generals have died; teachers, mothers, fathers, children, friends. Let's see them, so we can keep our focus on what matters.

When my children were young, they used to ask me where souls were kept before they were born as babies. I used to say, to keep it simple, that their souls were kept in the pockets of God's favorite angels in heaven for safekeeping until they were ready to be born with a baby on Earth.

I am sure there are many angels, with their pockets full, in heaven this week.

IRENE NAVIS