Editorial comment: You might have notices that Virtuality has not said much about the aftermath of the terriorist attacks on the USA on September 11, 2001. This has been intentional, as the media is inundating us enough with repetitious horrid scenes and sounds, and documentary after documentary on the event that has changed America's history.

Virtuality feels that the online sites (MGH forums, PLWP messageboards, Dumpster Gang postings, etc.) have provided an outlet for such discussions. However, we would like to post one copy of an email message to me, Peg Willocks, from Ron Fortney. Ron is relatively new to PLWP and has agreed to share a little about his childhood and his inner thoughts on the attack on America, 2001.

What makes Ron's message so profound, is how he came from a hard-working family of nine kids to this point in his 42-year life to live with Parkinson's Disease and know his priorities lie in providing a good family for his 6-year-old son . . . our future of America. Ron exemplifies the opportunities that makes America the great country that it is in his essay, and especially his comments in his biographical information quoted here:

"Although this comes across as a hard childhood I wouldn't trade those memories for any thing..except for my son! Thanks for the request; I wish I had led a more newsworthy life , but, looking at what I have pounded out..maybe it fits with the moment..America was built by the commoners. Everyday ordinary people,who came looking for a better life . . . "

MAY GOD BLESS US, AMERICA!

Peggy Willocks - Co-Editor

It's 2:00 in the morning and I'm surfing the web hoping to find what I'm looking for. Just one problem...not sure what it is that search is all about. Spent the last week or so devouring every article I could find concerning the events of 9/11. Then stood waiting and watching to see what direction our emotions would carry us next. Now, the information that is coming out is burying us , just as the rubble from those buildings surely buried those inside them , devoid of any substance...without any true message or insight beyond the fact of man's true nature to man. With each passing day the news becomes more and more less news than just filler material til man inflicts more injury upon innocent lives. Makes this , that is , my PD, seem insignificant. I catch myself keeping to myself more, talking less and quietly shaking and stumbling alone.Could it be we've become dependent on the misery of other's to make us feel emotional enough
to take action .. to make us speak out .. to make us wake up and show we really care? God bless America, God bless those who lost their lives in those buildings ,God bless those men and women who now travel overseas to protect our way of life, God have mercy upon us.

My emotions have overflowed their banks, thanks for the shoulder.
Ron

Ron Fortney's bio;

Short bio huh? I'm 42 ,married (19 years) , one child (six year old son), dx'd with Parkinson's at 40 , still work full time. The only uniform I've worn was boy scouts... now for the stuff that you probably would find more interesting... nine brothers and three sisters , I'm grouped with the latter portion of children(only two younger than me).The oldest child is in his sixties...the youngest,thirty-five. I'm a twin,fraternal, my parents were basically poor and uneducated, both passed away several years ago.Growing up you'd never find a closer family...we did everything together, now, don't put us in the same zipcode together.lol. Look at this, did you ask for a short bio? lol.My twin brother and I were the first male children to graduate high school. I was working at my dad's gas station when I was six. WOW. I just realized that's the same age as my son. Boy, do I miss Red Skelton.... Although this comes across as a hard childhood I wouldn't trade those memories for any thing..except for my son! Thanks for the request I wish I had led a more newsworthy life , but, looking at what I have pounded out..maybe it fits with the moment..America was built by the commoners. Everyday ordinary people,who came looking for a better life. Somewhere in here is where the music and flag waving should start. lol.

Ron Fortney