This week’s appalling events remind us all how lucky we are to live in a free society. As New Yorkers, we too have been faced with the specter of violent extremism in the form of terrorist attacks. In the wake of the 9/11 attacks, the people of France stood by us and sent New York City and all of the United States their love, support and succor. It is our turn now to return the love and moral support to the people of Paris and France in this, their hour of darkness and loss. We stand with you, people of France.
At the same time, let’s also take a moment to ponder the realities facing those innocents caught in the crossfire of the civil war in Syria and the absolutely heartbreaking humanitarian crisis it has spawned. As an academy that trains compassionate people to provide medical care and attention to their fellow man, let us take this opportunity to set aside the fear and the anger we’re all feeling at the indiscriminate wasting of lives and remember that by and large, the people most hurt by war and the atrocities it brings are innocents.
Love one another and be kind to each other. This is our only world and we must succeed at learning to peacefully live together.
