During the anniversary of September 11, the American Red Cross joins millions of people around the world in honoring those individuals who lost their lives on that tragic day and those they've left behind, whose lives are forever changed. Everyday people, now heroes in our memories, are mourned by families who continue to grieve their enormous loss, needing consolation to move out of the darkness and a shoulder to cry on that the Red Cross continues to provide to this day.

The Red Cross salutes the men and women who lent their physical and emotional strength, without concern for personal safety, to aid in the relief operations, laboring hours on end to lend a hand and offer hope. We applaud our 55,575 volunteers dispatched from around the country who made a difference in countless people's lives.

So many Americans and citizens of the world turned to the Red Cross to provide immediate relief. At the Mineola-based American Red Cross in Nassau County, more than 2,000 volunteers assisted us following the attacks and another 4,000 offered to assist as needs arose. Thanks to the tremendous volunteer efforts, our local chapter collected more than 70 tons of supplies and distributed them directly into the hands of rescue workers, operated a staging area at Belmont Racetrack to support firefighters and police officers working at Ground Zero, opened shelters for stranded commuters who work on Long Island and could not return to their Manhattan residences that day, opened an additional shelter for 300 stranded passengers at John F. Kennedy International Airport, operated a Family Service Center in Mineola for families seeking financial assistance and referrals, provided crisis counseling to nearly 7,000 people, and more.

We at the American Red Cross in Nassau County continue our support of those affected by September 11th a year later. Two Family Support Specialists have been assigned to our chapter from the American National Red Cross to work full-time with local families seeking assistance through the September 11th Recovery Program. Nassau County families who have lost a loved one on September 11 can receive economic assistance, emotional support, and referrals to other agencies for needs such as scholarships, tax and legal advice, and other individually specific needs. The length of the program will be several years, perhaps as long as five years. To contact a Family Support Specialist, please call us at (516) 747-3500.

As the nation faces unprecedented challenges, it is imperative that community members take the time to support the work of those who are helping the nation recover and move forward, including Red Cross workers, the military, the government, families and each other during these uncertain times.

To keep our communities strong, people around the country are being called to volunteer service. The people of Nassau County can help make it safer by becoming Red Cross volunteers. Everyone should take advantage of the free disaster training available at the American Red Cross in Nassau County and our more than 1,000 chapters nationwide so that there are trained disaster responders available in every community.

And now more than ever, the Red Cross is encouraging people to develop emergency response plans for their homes, workplaces, and schools. There are things all of us can do to prepare for the unexpected, such as:

* Create an emergency response plan for your family.

* Make sure your children's caregivers have your contact information.

* Ask your employer about the disaster plan for your workplace.

* Assemble a disaster supplies kit.

* Learn basic first aid and CPR.

While the magnitude of the effects of such an unprecedented disaster as what occurred on September 11th can never be measured, the American people's generosity will always be remembered. The Red Cross is profoundly grateful for the unwavering support of all those who help us - in times of unspeakable tragedy and every day through our disaster relief and lifesaving programs.

For more information on the continuing Red Cross response to the September 11 attacks, please visit www.RedCross.org and our local chapter Web site at www.NassauRedCross.org.

Harriette P. Thayer, Chairman of the Board, Victor C. Hackett, Jr., Chief Executive Officer Linda Cohn; Board Member and Chairman of Emergency Services Walter Betuel Director of Emergency Services