On Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001, all of America stood not on the sidelines of an act of terrorism but precisely on the frontlines of several attacks that were tantamount to war.
Most of us in our lifetimes have been spared the incomprehensible horror of combat because courageous men and women in the armed services have stood up for us and borne the brunt of the physical and mental torment that comes with deadly confrontation. And, they are willing to continue to do this so that we can go on about our lives and our way of life.
Sept. 11th brought warlike conditions to our own country and into our homes, schools, offices and places of work in a way we could never imagine – not even with what this nation experienced through the attack on Pearl Harbor or the carnage that was the Civil War.
America is reeling. We are grappling with the enormity of this tragedy, we are grieving, we are uncertain about how we should act or react, we feel that we may never be the same again.
But, we are still standing and we are standing together. And, we will go on, because this is America.
The horrendous acts we suffered are truly an assault on the world community, and it is heartening to see so much support emerging from around the globe.
This is a situation that we are thankfully unaccustomed to in the sense that ours is a country that is looked to for assistance, to rescue and to defend a number of international partners at any time.
Who will step forward on our behalf? Many, we see, but we must also help ourselves.
By noon on that indescribable Tuesday, ETSU had dismissed classes and shut down all but the most essential operations.
It was a time for us to reflect on the tragedy we all were just beginning to look in the eye, a time to protect our mental well-being and quite possibly our very physical existence since it was said that no place in America could be considered safe that day, and a time to gather our collective strength and regain the composure required to continue this business of higher education.
Needless to say, carrying on has not been easy.
Anyone who is an American by birth or an “American” by his or her presence in this great nation has been personally affected whether by direct connection through family, friends, or loved ones or quite simply through the connection of humanity itself.
On this campus, we have cried, we have prayed, we have counseled, we have talked, we have tried to understand, we have suffered anger because grief has several stages, and I think we have displayed individual and collective strength and character.
We know not what will come in the days, weeks and months ahead, but we do know that ETSU will continue to show its pride as we go about the practice of providing a strong university education, developing tomorrow’s leaders, and serving as a partner to help our community, nation and world.
People are the reason we show up for work each day.
That is why we believe people come first, no matter what; their diversity and their ideas are respected; and all of our relationships are built on honesty and trust.
No matter the circumstances and no matter where this tragedy leads, our hope is that the work of this institution will manifest itself in the integrity, words, and actions of our students, alumni, faculty and staff as we strive to exemplify that which truly defines us as Americans and brings so many people to our shores seeking the acceptance, tolerance and understanding that all humanity longs to embrace.
May the power that is greater than all of us provide the beacon we must have in the days ahead.

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