12 SEPT 2001

Dear fellow brave Americans,

They called it a tragedy, a terrorist attack, a nightmare and an
attack on America. I really don’t believe that there is a word in
any language that anybody or we can use to describe what happened
on Tue 09-11-01. As Lebanese Americans we believe that we are
among the very few people who can feel and understand the pain
and suffering of the victims and their families. Our Christian
family members and relatives have been living in the land of
Cedars under a constant terror and oppression for decades.

The first thing we must do is pray, pray and pray some more. We
must stand behind president Bush and the government, the leaders
of all the free nations and their governments and pray to God to
give them and all of us the strength and wisdom to carry on. We
only bow to God and we don’t back down not even under the most
extreme circumstances.

The cowardly, evil, barbaric and terrorist attack on the innocent
and the freedom loving peoples of the greatest nation on earth
will only motivate us to spread the messages of love, democracy
and equal opportunity for everyone. Those who initiated this
atrocity will be caught along with anybody who supported them or
provided shelter for them, justice will be done.

As Lebanese we believe that our strength stems from the majestic
mountains and the mighty Cedars of Lebanon, and as Americans we
feel that we are as strong as the grand canyons and as free as
the bald eagles. The least we can do at this point is to donate
blood and work with the local authorities including the fire
department to support the relief efforts. Long lived freedom,
long lived democracy and long lived America. Thank you for your
time and may God bless America.

 
Sincerely,

Your Lebanese American Supporters

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Tony Dib wrote the above letter, and is the president and founder of a new
Lebanese American organization called Cedar Roots. Tony went on to write:

"Lebanese Americans are some of the oldest immigrants in this country and
we have been contributing to it's construction since the late 1800's, and
we intend to give more until the end of time. Cedar Roots organization is
made up of Lebanese American engineers, doctors, politicians and businessmen.
As a matter of fact one of the board members will be running for State Senate
in 2002. Let me know what else you need and I will be glad to assist. I heard
that a Memorial that honors all American Veterans will be built here in
Michigan, Do you know anything about it? Again, thank you for your time,
God bless us all and God bless America."

Sincerely,

Tony V. Dib