I reflected today on 9/11/2001. When I heard the news that day, I had just arrived in Izmir, Turkey. Upon arrival, our Turkish tour guide, Cem Yalcinkaya in a calm and professional way let our group know what had happened. As I think back, I am very grateful for Cem and the manner in which he handled things. The next evening, he and I had a long positive discussion of the situation. It reminds me that international relations starts with people, one on one, talking and sharing. I am also reminded that although the attacks were on U.S. soil, there were many people from other countries who lost lives on that day as well. We live in a global community. I find I am thankful also for the people of Turkey who have opened their borders to Syrian refugees in a tough situation. We live in a world that did change on 9/11, and that change requires increased peaceful interaction with people of all nations, so far as we are able to be at peace with our neighbors. Peace must be active.
Posted on: Thu, 12 Sep 2013 01:34:41 +0000