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Okotoks family relieved to hear father's voice after escape from Tuesday's attack on World Trade Center
By Cindy BallanceEditor
For one Okotoks family, news of the destruction hit very close to home.
Angie McIntosh was asleep in her Westridge home when the first of two planes plowed into the north side of the World Trade Center. Shortly after, at about 6:45 am, her phone rang.
'It was Ron on the phone and he said to me ‘there has been a very large emergency here. I have felt the building shake. I think a bomb has just gone off, turn on the news. He saidyou you
you won't be able to reach me on my cell phone for probably quite a long time and I need to get out of here, out of the building', and he hung up.'
These were the words of her husband Ron, a systems analyst with Emperor Health, who works in the World Trade Center.
Terror for Angie and her family quickly set in as they turned on the television.
'I saw a huge hole in the side of the building that he works in quite high up. About two minutes after that I saw another plane hit the other building and I immediately thought this was a terrorist attack,' said Angie in an interview Wednesday, sitting closely with her three children, Jill, Jeremy and Trevor.
'We were quite worried because we didn't know what floor he was on although we knew that he was not hurt from the plane that went into the building because I just talked to him,' she explained still coping with the emotions felt just the day before.
The family sat huddled around the television all day watching as the horror unfolded, hoping and praying they would hear from Ron.
'We didn't know where he was in the building we just prayed he would be out of it soon,' said Angie.
But when the second building collapsed, the family screamed in horror, dashing all hopes that their father would escape the destruction.
'We all screamed. We couldn't believe it,' said Angie. 'I don't think we expected the buildings to collapse. We were really quite devastated over that because we knew if he was in the building there was a really slim chance of getting out or even being alive at that point. It was horrifying.'
'We thought my dad was higher up than he actually was and it takes a long time to evacuate that many people,' said Jill. 'Fifty thousand people visit that building so we knew if he had to get out it would take a long time.'
Forty-five minutes later a friend of the family from Wyoming called to say she knew exactly where Ron was in the building — on the 27th floor.
Hope quickly returned that Ron would have a greater chance to escape the destruction of the twin towers.
'We were really happy about that because there was hope he would have probably made it out of the building on time,' explained Angie.
Four hours after the first terrifying call, Ron called home.
'It was the longest four hours we have ever spent,' said Angie. 'It seemed like an eternity.'
'Hearing his voice on the phone was a huge relief for all of us. It is hard to explain how excited we were after such a horrendous attack of terrorism.'
Obviously shaken and terrified Ron, after waiting in a massive line-up of people waiting to call their loved ones, told his family of the situation in New York.
'He said he saw firemen going up and that he knew they probably wouldn't come out,' said Angie describing the conversation.
'When he got out of the building the first thing he saw was police officers and they told him not to look up, not to look back, just to run,' explained Jill.
'He said he ran and he did look back and he watched as the second building collapsed tumbling to the ground and he saw people jumping out of the windows of the building he was in, which was devastating for him,' added Angie. 'I can't imagine seeing what he saw and ever being normal again or not having it affect the rest of your life.'
Although their father's words were shocking, hearing his voice was a relief.
'We had been through a lot in those four hours. First we were hopeful then we were devastated because we thought he was dead and then we were hopeful again and then finally he called,' said Angie.
'We are very lucky,' she added. 'We have never dealt with terrorism before and for us here at that time we learned to deal with the highest power of evil. It's been an eye opener to myself and to the kids and especially to Ron how devastating it is, how devastating terrorism is. It was an ordeal for us.'
Angie explained that after talking with her husband five times on Tuesday and once so far on Wednesday he seemed to be doing much better.
Ron is now staying at his home in New Jersey and plans to return to Okotoks tomorrow. However, he will return to work in Albany, New York after a short visit with his family.
'We would just like for him to get home,' said Angie.
Of the 1,800 people Ron works with, four died in the attack.
Locally, the Foothills Regional Emergency Services Commission and Alberta Ambulance Operators Association Membership board of directors and staff mourned the loss of their colleagues who perished while performing their duties on Sept. 11.
Emergency crews throughout the nation offered their heartfelt sympathies to the families and co-workers.
In recognition of their fallen comrades Emergency Medical Services across Alberta observed one minute of silence on Tuesday, Sept. 18 at 11 am.
Still others had a desire to do something more in the wake of this tragedy.
Many people flocked to the blood donor clinics in Calgary lending at least what they could to the situation.
While there are no local blood donors clinics planned, people are encouraged to contact the clinics in Calgary if they wish to make a donation at 1-888-2-DONATE.
As well as blood donations, the Canadian Red Cross is also looking for cash donations.
Canadian banks are currently supporting relief efforts by accepting donations to the 'Canadian Red Cross — USA Appeal.'
The money raised will assist the American Red Cross in its relief efforts and stranded travellers in Canada.
Donations may be made at any branch of the following institutions from now to Oct. 15.
The Bank of Montreal, Bank of Nova Scotia, CIBC, Royal Bank, TD Bank Financial Group, National Bank of Canada, Laurentian Bank of Canada, Canadian Western Bank, Banca Commerciale Italiana of Canada, HSBC Bank Canada, Sottobank of Canada.
Donations of goods will not be accepted.
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Community sends prayers south of the border
By Cindy BallanceEditor
Prayer vigils, blood donations and a moment of silence were just some of the ways the Okotoks and area communities displayed sympathy and condolences to those south of the border.
In the wake of the attacks on America, citizens across Canada are feeling the suffering of those in New York and the rest of the United States.
Tuesday and Wednesday night prayer vigils were held at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Okotoks.
The Ministerial Association of Okotoks combined efforts to open the church to anyone, regardless of denomination, wishing to send their prayers and thoughts to our southern neighbors.
A large candle was lit in recognition of those who perished in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, those suffering from the loss of their loved ones and every other citizen drastically impacted by the terror.
Pastor Don Hall said hosting the vigils was a chance to provide space for anyone to be in prayer, meditation or reflection on the day's events.
Hall explained that with the gravity of such situations, it is difficult to make sense out of things that don't make sense, however the vigil provided a place for people to come together.
In addition to the prayer vigils, Foothills residents also gathered in a moment of silence on Thursday, Sept. 13 at 10 am.
Many Canadian flags in the communities flew at half-mast.
As well, many people observed three minutes of silence last Friday during the National Day of Mourning for the victims and their families.
