September 16, 2001

To the blacksmith community,

The events of September 11th have deeply affected all of us, indeed the entire world. On behalf of ABANA I extend my sympathies and support to all who have suffered loss. Please, give pause in all that you do in support of the victims of these attacks, indeed for our country and the civilized world. Many ways are available to assist and support the victims and those working in the recovery efforts. Please contribute as you can. But, while we and our world have been changed in many and immeasurable and yet unknown ways, we must go on, as a world, as a nation, as an organization, as persons. To do so is one way to fight back against this evil in a positive way. And, for all of ABANA, I thank those members from outside the USA who contacted us with messages of concern, support, and sympathy. They have shown that blacksmithing is a universal family that knows no borders. Hold close all those who you hold dear.

Doug Learn
ABANA President
121 Pebble Woods Drive
Doylestown, PA 18901-2907
cjfdlearn@mindspring.com