E-MAILS

E-MAILS
Last month, The Vindicator asked hundreds of its news contacts this question: How has your life changed since Sept. 11? For example, how has the event and its aftermath changed your attitudes, your work, family or religious lives, your travel plans, etc.?
We have sought out religious affiliation for our family, wishing to provide our children and ourselves a sense of control and greater faith.
KYMBERLY FOSTER
New Waterford
I have been trying to live life to the fullest since 9/11. I am making an effort to appreciate my three children more, to do more things with them and to give them more of my time and attention. I am also taking more risks and chances with personal relationships.
LORI K. SAKACS
North Lima
When we visited the site of the World Trade Center after Sept. 11, my teen-age son asked & quot;Dad, how could anyone do this? & quot; As we gazed at the horrible destruction, I replied & quot;There are sick people in the world, and sometimes they do terrible things. & quot; In spite of the shadow of terrorism, we will continue to live, work and travel as we always have.
ROBERT MACOMBER
Canfield
My outlook on life as an American has changed greatly since 9/11. I now realize that we are not as secure of a nation as I wanted to believe we were.
CARLA INFANTE
Sharpsville, Pa.
I live in Queens, New York, between LaGuardia and JFK airports, and I cringe when I hear plane engines overhead. I have canceled three weekend vacations and either driven or stayed at home.
NANCY LOOKABAUGH
Briarwood, N.Y.,
formerly of Youngstown
I sometimes marvel over the magnitude of the situation, knowing that we have just passed a very momentous, yet negative historical event in our lifetimes.
DEAN CHANCE
Austintown
The tragic event has invaded my senses. I feel an immediacy to finish projects, an increased compassion for those in need, a nagging sense of sadness. I notice young people showing more respect during the National Anthem at athletic events, new faces in church and an increased kindness among people who typically wouldn't notice one another.
GAYLE J. RIDGE
Poland
I feel confident that security in the areas where I am traveling is good. No other part of my life has changed in any way. I continue to keep up on daily events and continue my work.
SOPHIE ROMACK
Leavittsburg
I am constantly home with my husband and kids now and only do things with my family. Work has become less meaningful and I refuse to fly!
PATTY KINNARD
Struthers
The one thing that has changed is my opinion of broadcast news, radio and TV. The hours of coverage as the story was unfolding were great, however, I feel there was far too much repetition and little substance as to why we were attacked.
CHARLES FARRELL
Boardman
I worry about the future of our children and grandchildren. It's almost like I am looking over my shoulder all the time, wondering when the next tragedy will come.
MARY McPHERON
Youngstown
After the initial shock of 9/11 subsided, I wrote & quot;love & quot; notes to my children who live in different parts of the country. I expressed my love and gratitude for them and assured them that I would be fine and encouraged them to be happy. Our relationships seem closer and stronger.
LAURA GROHOVSKY
Austintown
I have made an effort to not let Sept. 11 change my attitude about anything. If our attitudes change, then we have let the terrorists accomplish what they set out to do.
ROSE ROTHBAUER
Poland
If you have an e-mail address and would like to become a Vindicator News Contact, let us know.
We'll periodically send e-mails asking our contacts for their thoughts. The topic might be an issue we plan to address in the future or news events as they occur.
To become a contact, please type "Contact" into the subject line and send us your e-mail address, name, the town where you live and a daytime telephone number for verification purposes to newscontacts@vindy.com