Today marks the 10th anniversary of the 7/7 London Bombings.
I remember that day, for although I was in NZ, Peter was in London, and daily took one of the affected lines to work at The London (The Royal London Hospital). That day was awful - all the phone networks went down, no way to know whether he was OK. Nothing to do but to sit and await word...
Eventually many hours later he managed to get through to me to say that he was OK, but that many of the casualties were being taken to The London and he was busy there providing support to victims and their families. He was way-laid that morning getting on the trains, by a group of nuns who wanted to talk with him (Deo Gratias).
We were lucky, our lives only tangentially touched, but these cowardly acts robbed 52 families of their innocent loved ones, injured a further 700 people, and struck at the heart of a nation. This, however, only served to strengthen the resolve of a community to support each other. Forever, the indomitable spirit lived on. Never surrender, never give them the satisfaction, - keep calm and carry on.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth visited The London the following day and later in a speech declared "Those who perpetrate these brutal acts against innocent people should know that they will not change our way of life" The attacks were also denounced by Muslim clerics such as the Grand Mufti of SA: "Killing and terrorizing innocent people and the destruction of property are not condoned by Islam".
How sad that these forms of violence continue. When will people learn?
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