Churches, schools and other institutions in Freeborn County spent Tuesday looking for ways to cope with what some people are calling the nation’s worst-ever tragedy.

Wednesday, September 12, 2001

Churches, schools and other institutions in Freeborn County spent Tuesday looking for ways to cope with what some people are calling the nation’s worst-ever tragedy.

More than 300 people gathered at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea to pray for the victims and rescuers who are still in the midst of trauma following the terrorist attacks.

&uot;We come to you this night in horror at what has happened to our country in New York, in Washington and in Pennsylvania,&uot; said the Rev. Steve Delzer, who opened the service with a prayer. An array of pastors from the Freeborn County Ministerial Association worked together on the community-wide service.

&uot;No matter what the attackers were thinking when they attacked, they attacked the world, and it is the world that is wounded,&uot; the Rev. Joel Xavier told the gathering.

Albert Lea Area Schools canceled all after-school activities out of respect for victims and their families. Superintendent Dr. David Prescott said he wanted students to have the chance to talk with parents and hopefully find some understanding of the day’s events. But canceling classes was never an option, he said.

&uot;As much as possible, we want to limit the disruptions that a tragedy of this magnitude can create in the classroom,&uot; Prescott said. &uot;If the kids in New York City can be in school at a time like this, then we need to as well.&uot;

Prescott circulated the schools Tuesday to gauge the reaction of Albert Lea students and staff to the attacks.

&uot;There are really two levels here,&uot; said Prescott. &uot;Students in our primary grades are only slightly aware that something terrible has happened, and our older students are fully aware and very interested in what has happened. There has been a lot more questions and discussion in the upper grades.&uot;

Prescott told the district’s administrators and teachers to look for ways maintain a sense of normalcy.

&uot;Basically, I told them to search for some calming words and to use words of assurance&uot; he said.

Disruptions were evident at the Albert Lea Airport where all activity was grounded by the Federal Aviation Administration. At least one corporate flight was canceled.

&uot;We had about 15 students hoping to go out at 8 o’clock (Tuesday) morning,&uot; said Mike Nevins, owner of the flight school. &uot;(FAA officials) don’t want anyone to leave the ground. They don’t want one aircraft in the air.&uot;

Flights may resume today, Nevins said, but people should expect air traffic around the country to be backed up.

&uot;It’s going to screw it up really good,&uot; he said.

According to Judy Holstad at All Continents Travel in Albert Lea, the nation’s air travel was on hold until at least noon today.

&uot;The airlines say they are going to do everything they can to get people where they’re going, otherwise refund their money,&uot; she said.

People in the area don’t have to feel powerless, said Ann Pribyl, chapter manager of the Freeborn County Red Cross. Giving blood is one important response to the tragedy. Blood drives will be added across Minnesota in the coming weeks, she said, and two are already scheduled: Monday, Sept. 17 at Little Cedar Lutheran Church in Adams (call 507-582-3586); and Wednesday, Sept. 19 at the Austin Salvation Army (call 507-437-4566).

&uot;They will use up vast amounts of supplies, so we want people to realize Monday or Wednesday (next week) is not too late to help,&uot; Pribyl said.

The North Central Regional Blood Center in St. Paul can take blood every day, she said. Call 1-800-657-9742 for details or visit www.yourbloodcenter.org.

Pribyl said the Red Cross also operates a tracing service to help people check on friends or relatives they have not been able to reach. For more information on that service, call the local office at 373-4544.