For Volunteers, a Special Leading Role

The terrorist atrocity that struck the United States and stunned the world Sept. 11 holds special meaning for me.

We were attacked and suffered great loss. It found us individually preoccupied and collectively fragmented. Then, everything changed.

I reacted personally because in 1974--almost 27 years ago to the day--my brother Jon, as co-pilot of a TWA flight bound for New York, was one of 88 persons bombed out of the air over the Aegean Sea and lost at the hands of international terrorists.

However, earlier this year, as a visitor in Egypt and Jordan at the time of the Arab summit, my wife and I were impressed by the values and faith we shared with the Middle Eastern people we met.

I reacted professionally because the grass-roots Orange County nonprofit organization I am helping establish is not only applicable to local organizations, but also has direct meaning for voluntary leadership in global affairs in the name of freedom for all people.

Both reactions have led me to suspect strongly that we who have a deep sense of loss, and we who are involved in volunteer-led charities have a timely message for those with responsibility for our response.

First, we must give expression to our natural compassion. We must ask ourselves: Why are we here? The United States is the world’s only superpower, and this carries with it a responsibility to lead world opinion, not just the American public.

Second, we must all be citizen volunteers who freely go the extra mile for the well-being of those most in need of help. We must ask ourselves: Who are we? We are not only citizens of the United States, but also citizens of the world.

Third, we must focus on the cause we have in common with all people. We must ask ourselves: What vision do we have of the future? We need to envisage a world free of terrorism, yes, but also beyond to a world of freedom and justice.

Fourth, we must be good stewards of the resources we have and those we will need to overcome the obstacles. We must ask ourselves: How will we realize our shared vision? We must alleviate the suffering at home, rally the international community, help those we’ve unintentionally hurt--all while bringing the terrorists to justice.

Fifth, we must be humanitarian givers of our own time, talent and treasure to help many others in need, not just the surviving victims, but also those who hold us accountable for their feelings of misfortune. We must ask ourselves: Where do we expect our efforts to be rewarded? We must look to world opinion.

We will have succeeded only when we are respected both for our defense against terrorism and for our offense on behalf of freedom and justice everywhere.