Those who know me know that, unusually,

for a photographer, I am rarely, if ever,

at a complete loss for words. Yet today,

I find myself searching for both words

to describe my feelings, and reason

itself in this day.
 
 

Exactly one week ago today, I spent an enjoyable

late summer day with a visiting friend from Germany,

and my own girlfriend, as I played tourguide

for my irrepressible visitor.
 
 

On America's Labor Day, 4 September 2001,

we visited The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island,

enjoying the last golden days of summer as we gazed

across at the Lower Manhattan Skyline.
 
 

Today, an unspeakable, nay even unthinkable,

act of calculated brutality forever changed that

same skyline.
 
 

I already know of at least three friends who

worked in that complex and still

remain unaccounted for.
 
 

One of those friends had an office on the

uppermost levels of the South Tower.
 
 

To Americans who read this: I ask you

to remember not to condemn others

simply because they share the religious faith

or national origin of those, whoever they are,

who committed this atrocity. I ask that you heed

the National call for blood donations.
 
 

To those outside the United States who read this:

I ask for your prayers, to join with my own,

upon behalf of those who

perished so tragically today. I ask also your

prayers for the Spirit of America, that

we may never sink, in careless response,

momentary outrage, or even righteous indignation,

to the level of these repulsive and

cowardly butchers of women and children.
 
 

Having watched friends pass from this

world before, I can tell you that moments of

tragedy have taught me who my true friends are.

I will long remember the concern and caring

demonstrated by each of you who contacted me

by telephone, e-mail, or online to ensure my safety.

Please know that I shall forever count you

each among my friends.
 
 

As I am, today, but a simple photographer,

perhaps, my words are not apropos here.

My eloquence can never match that of

all those whose actions today in responding to

this tragedy spoke volumes: the Police,

the Firefighters, the Medical Personnel,

and the simple New Yorkers who tried

valiantly to save so many.

May we long remember their bravery

and dedication in this hour of need and mourn

the passing of so many innocents today.
 
 
 

Instead, perhaps, I will let some of my own imagery,

from both one week ago, and from today, speak

of what has been lost. They may not be as stunning or

riveting as the images you will see today and in days

to come, in various media. However, they are my

simple offering to the spirits of those many whose

lives were so wantonly snuffed out today. To their

families I say: I cannot even begin to comprehend

your pain. To their friends and colleagues: know

that I stand with and beside you, ready to offer

whatever meager help I may.
 
 

These United States of America will survive.

New York City, and Washington, D.C. will rebuild.

of Hiroshima and Nagasaki... These cities and our nation will see

that the sun truly, also rises, and that life is almost

truly indomitable in its ability to rise from the ashes of tragedy.

We too shall find flowers amidst the ruins.
 
 

Buildings, so often thought of as the sinew and skeleton

of a city will be replaced.

But the lives of the families touched most deeply

by this tragedy will never heal fully.
 
 

Accordingly, for the time being,

I feel that a site

which has been so oriented towards

providing a look at the beauty of the world

and people around us is inappropriate.

Until further notice, the main portion of this site

shall be closed to mourn the passage of so many.
 
 

For anyone who reads this: Please take this moment,

remember those you love and care for, and

let this remind us all how brief and tenuous,

how frail, each human life truly is. Rejoice in being

alive and able to share that love with other and

do not hesitate to express that same love

whilst you can, for you never know when

the chance you just missed to tell someone

that you cared, will have been the last such

chance you, or they, may have to impart that

message in this life. In the midst of death and horror

humanity's greatest gift is love.

In the end it is also our greatest weapon

against those who sow violence and terror.
 
 

I apologize for the lack of  the

traditional attention to detail one might

expect from a webpage authored by me.

Please understand that this is a terrible

time for me, and a much more terrible day for

so many others, that I may fall out of touch

now and again for the foreseeable future.

Please do not worry for me, instead lend your

support to those whose families and lives

have been irreparably and irretrievably

shattered by this senseless day.
 
 

May you all be safe.

You may click on any one of the images below for a larger version.

The link to the Fund Benefitting Families

of NYC Firefighters

will be found here as soon as it is announced

and I can add it to the site.
 
 

In the interim, you can link to the

Uniformed Firefighters' Association

of Greater New York

which administers the Widows and Orphans Fund.

Currently, more than 350 NYC Firefighters

are unaccounted for.

Please keep them in your thoughts and/or prayers.

All Imagery on this Page and within this site:
© Copyright Keith Krebs, 2001, All Rights Reserved

editor@p-o-v-image.com