This is part of an email that my Uncle Dave sent me last week.

"Yesterday I had the privilege of working with the Red Cross at ground zero. Since then, I've thought a lot about how I could convey to others all the feelings I had throughout the day. The short answer is, I can't. But there are some things I can share. Looking at the downtown area covered in ash and soot, the buildings with boarded up windows, the unbelievably huge smoking pile of rubble, talking to the Police, Firemen, construction workers, men and women who've worked 12 hour shifts for weeks without a day off, all I can say is, I didn't cry. It wasn't easy not to, but I didn't cry. During my shift, about 5 workers were taken away in ambulances, 1 came in for stitches, 1 for foreign matter in his eye. This was just during my 8 hours there! If you think these men and women aren't among the bravest Americans or that they aren't risking their lives every day, you are wrong. High Points : Meeting Karen G., a fellow PC rider from Alaska, who has volunteered to work here, and giving her a hug. Meeting a Boston Police Officer who gave me a patch that says "Boston Police Motorcycle Drill Team". We hadn't talked bikes, how did she know ? Meeting the volunteers from Mississippi, South & North Carolina, California and who knows where else, people who have been away from home for weeks just to pitch in and help. Highest Points : Shaking the hands of these brave men and women and saying "Thanks for everything you are doing" and hearing them respond, "THANK YOU!, we couldn't do what we do without the Red Cross and people like you". I felt so humble, so unworthy and so ashamed that I've done so little while they risk their lives for us and then, they thank me, It was an honor to be in the presence of these men and women. If you live anywhere even remotely close to NYC, do yourself the biggest favor of your life, call the Red Cross and volunteer for a shift. I guarantee that you will end your shift a much different person than when you started it. You will better understand what this country has gone through and, after meeting these men and women, know there is nothing that can ever destroy a country that produces men and women like them. God Bless America -"