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Struggle for sense of normalcy starts

Published 9:00 pm Wednesday, September 12, 2001

Day after attack, many head back to work

Herald staff

We gazed at the television and newspaper pictures with disbelief. We were left stunned and angry.

But a day after the terrorist attacks, Puget Sound residents have started moving away from stupor toward normalcy — and national pride. Some wore their patriotism on their sleeves and waved flags Wednesday.

Residents turned out in droves to give blood. But the attacks have left long inspection lines at U.S. borders and heightened security even on state ferries.

Churches keep prayer vigils

Snohomish County churches are opening their doors for special prayer vigils this week to help people cope with Tuesday’s tragedy.

Edmonds Unitarian Universalist Church, 8109 224th St. SW, Edmonds, 8 p.m., Chapman Hall.

St. John’s Episcopal Church, 913 Second St., Snohomish. 568-4622. 6 p.m.

Greater Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, 11229 Fourth Ave. W., Everett, 425-355-9871. Open all day.

Trinity Episcopal Church, 2301 Hoyt Ave., Everett, Labyrinth walk, 425-252-4129. Thurs. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fri. 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m. to noon.

Here’s how we’re doing:

  • In Washington, D.C., Congress went back to work after a day of absorbing the horror of what will be remembered as one of America’s most difficult days.

    U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee, D-Wash., agreed with President Bush when he called for identifying and locating those responsible for the coordinated attacks.

    "Governments harboring terrorists must be responsible and assist in bringing terrorists into custody," he said. "It’s important that the world community join us in making this message very clear."

  • Somebody started distributing an e-mail calling for workers to show U.S. pride today by wearing red, white and blue. Blue jeans and a white T-shirt will get you two-thirds of the way there.

  • Three warships that put to sea hours after the attacks, the USS Fife, Rodney M. Davis and Ford, returned to Naval Station Everett Wednesday. However, the naval station and all military facilities in the Puget Sound area are still on the highest alert status.

    All nonessential personnel are asked to stay away and keep in touch with facilities by telephone. The Navy support complex at Smokey Point remains closed pending further notice.

  • Information lines available for Navy personnel: Navy Region Northwest, 360-315-1000; the submarine base at Bangor, 360-315- 4636; Naval Station Everett, 425-304-3000; Naval Station Bremerton, 360-476-9509; Naval Hospital Bremerton, 360-475-5777; Naval Undersea Warfare Center Keyport, 360-396-2553.

    For Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, information can be obtained from the public affairs office, 360-257- 2286.

  • At blood centers in Snohomish County, people turned out in record numbers to give blood. Officials now are asking that people call a central reservation number to make an appointment. The number is 800-398-7888.

    "The response has been amazing," said Ed Stauffer, supervisor of the Puget Sound Blood Center office at 2703 Oakes Ave. in Everett. The Lynnwood office is in the Lynnwood Center, 19723 Highway 99, Suite F.

    On Tuesday, workers drew 160 pints of blood, more than triple the normal amount, and some people waited in line for hours, he said.

  • Two Snohomish County emergency operations centers that opened Tuesday morning have closed down. The Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management at Paine Field kept operations going through Wednesday. The south Snohomish County’s Emergency Services Coordinating Agency in Edmonds resumed normal operations on Wednesday.

    A state emergency center was expected to remain open today.

  • ?Grounded commercial airliners mean a delay in some mail deliveries, postal officials said. Alan Sinfuego, Marysville post office supervisor, said he expected mail today to be light, with a heavy backlog probable on Friday and Saturday.

    For information on how mail is being transported while airplanes are grounded, check the post office’s Web site at www.usps.com.

  • The Deception Pass Bridge was reopened to pedestrians at 11 a.m. Wednesday. The popular tourist attraction was closed Tuesday morning.

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