Terrorists attack America; Stoneham woman among tragedy’s victims
Published on September 12th, 2001
STONEHAM, MA - Everyone from President George Bush to Stoneham elementary school students is reacting to a terrorist attack on the United States.
Two flights from Logan Airport were hijacked and crashed into New York City’s World Trade Center towers Tuesday morning (American Flight 11 to Los Angeles LAX and a United Airlines flight). A third plane crashed into the Pentagon in Washington D.C. A fourth plane crashed outside Pittsburgh. An explosion was reported at Camp David, all in a storm of news swirling violently Tuesday afternoon.
Stoneham victim
Anna Williams Allison, 48, of Pond Street was on American Airlines Flight 11. She had lived in Stoneham since 1990 and was married to Blake Allison. She lived previously in Cambridge and was born in Richmond, Va. as Anna S. Williams.
The couple had no children, according to Town Hall records. She listed “manager” as her occupation. No memorial service information was available as of press time.
That fateful morning
Stoneham Town Administrator Dave Berry said not to panic late Tuesday morning. He thought there was a local emergency response plan somewhere. Maybe the Fire Chief knew where it was. He couldn’t be reached Tuesday morning. The Town Hall flag was lowered to half mast, and messages were left.
Berry said anyone who needs any help can call him at 781-279-2600. But he added that the town does not have the names of the passengers on either of the flights.
Phones were busy at State Representative Paul Casey’s, State Representative Mike Festa’s and State Senator Richard Tisei’s offices. Staffers in Congressman Ed Markey’s district office were having trouble reaching Washington D.C. by phone.
Massport’s phone line either rang busy or echoed with a recording that the lines couldn’t handle the volume of calls.
Both the United Airlines and American Airlines 800 lines rang busy all morning.
Massachusetts Emergency Management (MEMA) Public Information Officer Peter Judge is a Morgan Avenue resident. The biggest news he had before this morning was about the new stop sign going up on his street. Now he’s part of a team pulling together all of the state’s resources. As of Tuesday morning, MEMA had not deployed any fire departments or emergency personnel to New York.
“We’re planning a meeting for information gathering. It’s so early and so fluid, we don’t know what we’re going to do yet,” Judge said.
Later in the afternoon, Governor Jane Swift said that she had sent several fighter jets from Otis Air Force Base and a search and rescue team from Beverly upon request from New York officials.
Local hospitals on alert
Local hospitals have been told to make room for a flood of patients.
A Winchester Hospital memo distributed to the staff on Tuesday afternoon said, “Senior management directive. Winchester Hospital is on high alert status. Elevated alert status from the Boston Center for Medical Emergency Dispatch to maintain a status of readiness. Boston hospitals will be sending patients to Winchester to make room for possible transfers from New York. Physicians have been asked to discharge patients from Winchester Hospital if possible.”
A Melrose-Wakefield physician was notified that she and her colleagues may have to go to Boston or New York City. CBS News listed 2,100 people in New York City hospitals as of 5 p.m. Tuesday. And search and rescue missions can’t start until the fires stop.
All Hallmark Health Hospitals have postponed elective surgeries 48 hours. They are on alert similar to Winchester.
How to help
To donate blood contact the American Red Cross at 781-461-2000 or 800-462-9400.
Scared parents and children
Back in Stoneham, the Superintendent of Schools’ Secretary, Ruth Cronin, said that parents were flooding the schools with calls on Tuesday morning. High School Principal Tom Ryan made an announcement to his building.
At the Middle School, a notice was first given to all classroom teachers, and then they told their students about the attack. The notice said “two air crafts crashed into the World Trade Center... and an explosion at the Pentagon. Airports across the country have been shut down. The school day will continue. You will be updated... And all activities are canceled.
The students were not allowed to watch television reports and counselors were available for the children at the discretion of their teachers, according to Middle School Head Secretary Shirley Martis.
At the Central School children were not told about the terrorism.
“Elementary school children are too young, I think,” Helen Wynn, Central School Secretary, said.
All Stoneham school sports were canceled on Tuesday. Superintendent Joseph Connelly was prepared to call off school for Wednesday but opted not to, following the Governor’s lead. Parents can call the schools for updates at 781-279-3800.
The Sept. 11 Selectmen’s meeting was postponed until next Tuesday.
The agony of waiting
Employees of The Stoneham Independent know people in Manhattan and D.C., as many residents and business people of Stoneham do.
The son of a Stoneham merchant is the neighbor of the late pilot of American Flight 11, John Ogonowski of Dracut. Thousands of Americans are sitting by cell phones, telephones and computers across America, waiting to hear from loved ones. Some families, like the Allisons, will receive the most painful news.
At war?
Who is responsible... Hussein, Bin Lahden or domestic terrorists like McVeigh? Nobody knows, but Tom Brokaw called it “war,” and everybody’s scared.
Our leaders respond
Congressman Markey released a statement to the press Tuesday afternoon: “My thoughts and prayers are with the families of all the victims. These stunning and horrific attacks are an unimaginable tragedy condemned by the entire civilized world. Those responsible for these acts will find the world little interested in their justifications, but very determined to bring them to justice.”
President Bush said the United States would “hunt down and punish” those responsible.
At the Middle School, a notice was first given to all classroom teachers, and then they told their students about the attack. The notice said “two air crafts crashed into the World Trade Center... the school day will continue...”
Subscribe and get Home Delivery of The Independent
Save 36% off the newstand price — that's like 18 FREE issues!