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From us all....
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A letter sent to the USS Yorktown Crew -
New York, New York Friday, September 21, 2001
From a New Yorker to the crew of the Yorktown:
Thank you, the Best of America, for being out there in these dark hours. Here, flags line the streets in a city destroyed by a cowardly enemy in a moment of horror. These flags say one thing: Give ‘em hell, boys, give ‘em hell.
When you reach your toughest hour, when you just can’t go on, remember us here.
Remember the three little girls I heard about today who were orphaned last tuesday. Not one pair of parents, but three sets of parents gone. Remember them for us and give them hell boys. Give them hell.
When you wonder in these coming times why am I here? What good am I doing? Remember the two brothers up in Westchester who died together on tuesday at work leaving six kids and two wives behind. Remember them for us. Give them hell boys. Please give them hell.
As I held my nine week old daughter tonight I thought of the words of a close friend whose family is now homeless because of what they did last tuesday. I asked her, "What can we do to help?" She said, "Hug that little girl, Dave - hug that little girl."
And as I hold my daughter and listen to our American fighters over our city, I think of your sacrifice to defend us - how confident we are in you - I think, may God be with you all. May God be with you all.
And as the time approaches for a chance to send the word to those who wrought this terrible deed, who stopped the life for five thousand or more, in an act of unspeakable cruelty and barbarism - I think I should tell you, we love you all - sons and daughters out there at sea and in the air - our great hope that our thoughts should ever lift your tired arms and buoy your spirits. We love you all.
The task for us now here at home is to see that you get the tools you need to carry out each engagement, to rebuild what has been destroyed, and make sure in your absence that America remains as free in spirit as you will ensure she is free from threats.
But as you carry out your duties and the solemn task that has been set before you, please, if you could, whenever you’re not doing something else more important, in your spare time if necessary, before and after between meal snacks, and certainly between coffee breaks, give ‘em hell boys. Give them hell for us.
-From a New Yorker, and a proud American.
Friday, September 21, 2001
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