Sherwood Boehlert: “this tragedy was unspeakable, unimaginable, unbearable, unbelievable. Suddenly, we have a sense of being overwhelmed by…”

“this tragedy was unspeakable, unimaginable, unbearable, unbelievable. Suddenly, we have a sense of being overwhelmed by a reality that had been inconceivable just yesterday morning. All Americans, I think, have reacted with the same mix of emotions: fear, anger, loss, horror; perhaps most of all horror, a horror that keeps creeping back as one tries to return to daily life. But this tragedy has also evoked the best in people as we have united to reassure family and friends and neighbors and even strangers; as Americans have lined up to donate blood; as New Yorkers and Washingtonians and volunteers from across the country have rushed to offer their services and expertise; as police and firefighters and other rescue workers have made the ultimate sacrifice. We are going to need more of that in the days and weeks ahead as the full enormity of this horrific crime hits home, as we figure out how to deal with the future threats in this wholly unfamiliar and unexpected world in which we now find ourselves. But for now, we must concentrate on recovering emotionally and returning to daily life. We must, with clarity, as Lincoln said, bind up the Nation's wounds and care for him who hath borne the battle, and his widow, and his orphan.”