From: " fantastic Inflations, Inc." <jcragg@erols.com>
To: <balloondeco@balloonhq.com>
Subject: Thank You
Date: Thu, 13 Sep 2001 02:45:12 -0400


    I would just like to thank all the wonderful members from foreign
countries who have expressed their thoughts and condolences regarding the
attacks on Wash. DC and New York. I know that this is not a balloon related
topic but we are a  balloon industry family and I just wanted all of you to
know that your postings to list has meant a lot to me personally as I am
sure it has meant to a lot of other members. These last two days have been a
blur. I am sure that I am in shock as I still can not believe what has
happened. I am sure many others in our Wash. Metro area and the New York
area are in the same state of mind as I am, as well as people from other
areas. We live about 15 miles from the Pentagon. Your emails are a comfort
to those of us in the immediate areas of the attacks and I for one - thank
you for your kind words.

    I can assure all of you that this is not a media spin. Both DC and
Virginia are in a State of Emergency. There are military personnel
positioned around DC. On M Street in Georgetown, they are stationed on
almost every corner and this is just one street. The army base that we
frequent about 2 miles away, is on the highest alert. This is first hand
knowledge. My husband is retired Navy and even a health clinic off base has
military police checking ID's at the entrance. This is reality - not a media
spin. The safety we all felt and have taken for granted is gone. Let us not
respond to person who posted to list regarding the comparison to a cow who
kicked over the lamp. He is obviously in denial and we need to show
compassion during this time and not react with angry.

     I would like to ask everyone on the list to do two things. First and
most important, take some time out of your busy schedules to spend time with
your family and tell your family members how much you love them and how
important they are to you. We all keep very busy schedules and sometimes put
our families on a second burner because we unknowingly take them for
granted. The last few days has shown us that we can take nothing for granted
especially our families. We do not know what tomorrow may bring.

    Secondly, please let us all pray, no matter what your religious beliefs
are, to your chosen religious being for guidance for all our government
leaders who will all be making life defining decisions over the next few
days, weeks and/or months. Their decision will affect all of us world wide.
And let us pray for all the families who have loss a love one during these
attacks.

    Thank you for letting me share my thoughts during this time of crisis
and may God bless us all.


Joyce Cragg, CBA
Fantastic Inflations, Inc.
Lorton, VA