Subj: I am here and very grateful...
Date: 9/18/01

From: Miled Salheb


My dear NSX colleagues and friends,

I am here to acknowledge all of the magnificent notes I received, and would like to take this opportunity and thank you all so much for your concerns of my whereabouts and well-being. When Peter Mills and I spoke recently he informed that many list members had asked about me. I was surprised and choked up as I had no idea anyone would have even noticed my absence here, but I do appreciate it more than you know.

From the recent tragedy that took place (one week ago today), there isn't a way possible I can express in words right now how this has impacted my life, but I did want to respond. I have been away from my e-mails (and lost my cell phone somewhere in Manhattan) since last Tuesday morning. I have just returned from the site where the mighty twins once stood, and from what I have witnessed in the last week, it is disheartening to say the least.

My younger brother, who's a NY paramedic, contacted me last Tuesday morning (~0855 EST) to inform he had been called upon to respond to the disaster site. I told him how I couldn't believe what I was hearing and was having difficulty coping with it. My anger, anxiety, fear, and emotions were clearly expressed in my voice, and as soon as this was realized, he asked if I wanted to join him. I immediately got in my car, met him, and we were on our way with his cruiser. The anticipation of wanting to get there (to assist in any way possible) faster than he was driving was getting the best of me. As we approached the scene, tears of anger and sorrow overwhelmed me. The already unimaginable pictures on TV did no justice until I had witnessed it with my own eyes. The sights and smell were very chilling. There were ashes and debris floating all over, a large portion of the skies were dark gray, and I wasn't sure if what I smelled was burning rubber, wires, flesh, or a combination thereof! I only found out about this yesterday, but the reason I had so many bloody noses was due to glass debris (mixed in the smoke) I was breathing in, and not realizing it.

Like many of you that have viewed the shocking and incredulous scenes on TV (of the events that took place here in Manhattan and at the Pentagon) on Tuesday, September 11, 2001, I too could not believe my own eyes, nor bear the pain I felt as I vulnerably watched in horror and despair. This is indeed the most horrifying experience in my life, even more so then me almost losing my life 9 years ago.

And like many companies that reported employees and loved ones missing, PepsiCo was no exception. A note was sent regarding some of PepsiCo's employees who have been directly affected by this, and looking for a shoulder to lean on, I wanted to share this with you:
"Very sadly, we have learned that several more of our PepsiCo colleagues have family members who were involved in Tuesday's horrific events. One employee's sister was on the hijacked plane that crashed in Pennsylvania, and another employee's aunt was aboard one of the planes that struck the World Trade Center. Our thoughts and prayers are with both these innocent victims and their families as they cope with the horrible consequences of this unspeakable act. I'm sorry to advise that we are still awaiting word on a missing family member at the World Trade Center and continue to offer our hope and prayers."
I received so many wonderful notes from a lot of you, and I am extremely touched by all of them.  Ladies and fellas, my sincere thank you to all from our great nation, from around the world for your tremendous spirit in the face of this enormous tragedy, and for the concern for my whereabouts and well-being.  That being said, I would like to take this opportunity and publicly thank everyone who either sent me a private and/or public post:
Moazzam Ahmed
Chris Anders
Larry Bastanza
Pamela Buckshon
Manuel Cantoria
Tony DeJoie
Barney Demonbreun
Lud Eng
Larry Gauthier
Ken Gillett
Gene & Sue Greer
Jerry Hill
Linda Hinson
Stephen Howe
JC Jammal
Craig Latzke
Giuseppe Martino (from Switzerland - Siete una persona molto gentile e li ringraziate per pensare me)
Roxanne Merizalde
Peter Mills
Keith Modugno
Hans & Donna Rittinger
Kenji Suzuki (from Japan - anata-wa ikaga desu-ka?  Go-shin setsu, iro iro domo arigato gozaimasu.)
John Stramotas
Tracy Townsend
Alex Vizcarra
Chris Wong

Steve Howe had me pegged when he said, "Knowing how crazy and kind Miled is, he would do ANYTHING in his power to help out the victims. I bet he must be running around donating blood, hauling things, and just be a helper to the community.." Yes Steve, I did exactly that and yes, have also donated blood- now, can you please just give me the correct lotto numbers?! JC Jammal, my roommate is an NYPD detective who has been involved with this incident since it all started. Ken Gillett, I live and work in NY. And Peter Mills was right, I was down there where I wanted to be... helping others. And thanks Pete for keeping the list informed, especially of my new beard; and Mitch is correct, it's Sebring Silver, not gray. ;)

This past week's event has taken a toll on me. I've shed many tears, have had little sleep, and I am emotionally and physically drained. As Peter has witnessed, I may have even aged a few years in the process, but I did not want to let your act of kindness go unnoticed. To the WONDERFUL PEOPLE ON THIS LIST, the NYPD, NYFD, doctors, nurses, civilian volunteers, and everyone else, my deepest respect and I salute you all. Thank you for "caring"...

I will never hesitate to put my own life at risk to help others.

Ciao,

Miled