The Westbury community continues to be impacted by the September 11th attack on America, both by the loss of loved ones in the tragedy and by the U.S.-led international war against terrorism that has ensued. As President George Bush last week announced the start of military strikes in Afghanistan, the family and friends of William McVie reported that the Westbury native is serving aboard a U.S. Navy ship in the Arabian Sea. McVie, who graduated from W.T. Clarke High School in Westbury last year, has only been in the Navy for about a year, and his family and friends are praying for his safe return. They expect that he will be on active duty through the Christmas and New Year holidays. They wished to extend their encouragement and support to the young sailor.

As part of the war against terrorism, President Bush last week asked that all American children be encouraged to send $1 to a fund established for Afghan children. He is encouraging donations to America's Fund for Afghan Children to express the goodness of America, and in opposition to the oppression of the Afghan people by the Taliban, the ruling government in Afghanistan believed to be harboring terror mastermind Osama bin Laden.

Westbury resident Jeanette Glier, of Rockland Avenue, is among those who are responding to that call. She reported that she has directed each of her grandchildren to send a dollar to the fund, and suggests that all children in Westbury, and in America, do the same. "Each child in Westbury, earn a dollar, and send it to the starving Afghan children," Glier said. "The thought is perfect. It will do the child good, the country good, and the Afghan people good."

The president said that all donations should be sent directly to the White House, to: America's Fund for Afghan Children, The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C.