NEWINGTON, CT, Sep 12, 2003--On the second anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terror attacks, ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, joined Amateur Radio operators across the US and around the world in pausing to remember those who died that day. Haynie was among the more than 1400 amateurs checking into the 911 Commemorative Net organized by Len Signoretti, N2LEN. The net linked repeaters across the country--many via the Internet--and included opportunities to check in via EchoLink, IRLP and eQSO nodes. Haynie opened by saying that he was honored to be a part of the second annual linkup and that his heart and his prayers go out to the families of those who died. Haynie then shifted his focus to Amateur Radio's obligations in the aftermath of the terror attacks two years ago.
"One of the reasons we have a license and the privileges we have here in the United States is to provide a voluntary, noncommercial communication service particularly with respect to providing emergency communications," Haynie said. "Since 9/11, our government at the federal, state and local levels have a new respect for the ability of Amateur Radio operators to do just that: Provide communications when all others have failed."
Citing the late President John F. Kennedy's call, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country," Haynie said hams can do a lot for their country. "We can be vigilant, we can be trained and we can be ready!" he declared. "This is a task that we can do, and you can do it well."
 Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) volunteer Carlos Varon, K2LCV, and his wife Fran, pause Thursday to reflect on those who died September 11, 2001, in New York City. Varon was among the SATERN volunteers that day. [Jeff Schneller, N2HPO, Photo] |
Haynie expressed his appreciation for those who volunteered in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terror attacks and for those amateurs who continue to assist in disasters and emergencies.
"Do what you do best. Help your community with your communications skills," Haynie urged. "Our recent agreement with Homeland Security places a new responsibility on each of us, but it is a responsibility that you will perform, and you will do it well and with precision."
Haynie addressed a first-anniversary hookup last year to thank all amateurs who volunteered in the aftermath of the September 11 terror attacks.
This year's net provided an opportunity for amateurs across the country and elsewhere in the world to share their feelings about the events of two years ago. Among other checkins was Kevin Custer, W3KKC, in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Custer, who lives about a mile and a half from the United Airlines Flight 93 crash site, received a Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service certificate of appreciation for helping to provide communications at the crash site via several repeaters in the area. He listed the call signs of several individuals who assisted in the activation.
The Steve Jacobson Memorial Amateur Radio Association in New York City N2SJ was another participant. That call sign once belonged to Steve Jacobson, who died at the World Trade Center.
During this week's memorial activities, The Salvation Army set up canteen operations at three New York City locations to serve those attending. The Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) supported necessary communication on Amateur Radio VHF simplex. "Our SATERN operation was small but worked well," said SATERN volunteer Jeff Schneller, N2HPO. He said Carlos Varon, K2LCV--who was at the primary canteen site--also used Family Radio Service gear to communicate with other Salvation Army officers and volunteers. Schneller coordinated the SATERN response in New York City two years ago, and Varon was among the many SATERN volunteers.
Amateurs in New York City also supported Red Cross volunteers who assisted in the September 11 memorial activities at the World Trade Center site.
Seven Amateur Radio operators died in the World Trade Center and Pentagon disasters. They were:
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