Alumni and Friends React To Tragedy September 20, 2001 In response for your request for reactions to the New York City tragedy. On Tuesday we drove about thirty miles to the shore to see the dark cloud of smoke starting at New York city and crossing to the south as far as we could see out to sea. On Wednesday morning we could smell it. Sue and I are well but were shocked and saddened by the loss of a friend who died on Flight 93 which crashed in Pennsylvania. The friend was Todd Beamer. Lisa and Todd Beamer lived across the street from us until about a year ago. All those who know them admire their strength and heroism. I hope we will look past revenge and anger to attack the root causes of such violence. As long as there is such a differential between rich and poor countries there will always be discontented people. In Afghanistan for example, we trained, armed and paid the people to fight the Russians, then ignored their needs after the war was won. Their needs are important too. Hang tough, Glenn Palmer ’61 (A&S), and Suzanne (Handorf) Palmer ’59 (E) Hightstown, N.J.