It was 6 years ago today
Since Sept. 11, people not sure about increased levels of safety

By Leslie Wood
Staff writer

GALLUP — Today marks six years since the New York and Washington D.C. terrorist attacks that claimed countless lives and sparked an ongoing war against terror.

The Independent took the streets on Monday morning to gauge whether area residents feel an increased level of safety since the onset of the war on terrorism and whether they feel the nation’s efforts have been successful thus far. Responses typically included no reference to the military’s action in Afghanistan, but residents readily expressed their feelings about the war in Iraq.

Six people were posed with the two questions and detailed below are the responses:

Dave Martin
Martin, a Gallup firefighter, said he feels no different in terms of safety since the attack on Sept. 11, 2001. “Really, terrorism is a state of mind,” Martin said. “... The worst terrorism is from our own citizens.” He referred to the bombing of the Oklahoma City federal building more than a decade ago as an example.

Daniel Bowannie
Bowannie, a Zuni resident, said he is on the fence about whether to feel safe in this country. “It seems like we’re safe, but I don’t think we actually are,” Bowannie said. He’s also not certain as to whether America is winning the battle against terrorism. “It’s hard to say,” Bowannie said.

Angela Harjo-Bowannie
n Harjo-Bowannie also lives in Zuni and said she feels an increased level of safety because she lives in a small town. “I’m kind of naive in that sense,” Harjo-Bowannie said. She’s not so optimistic about the war in Iraq, however. “It doesn’t seem like there’s much improvement,” she said. “If there are people dying, how can it be an improvement?”

Roberta Keast
n Keast, a Vanderwagen resident, said the government is more aware of who enters the country since the terrorist attack. As far as the war on terrorism that resulted in the invasion of Iraq, Keast said the reasons for the war were not clear. “We’re fighting a war that’s not meant to be fought,” she said.

Clenta Grayshield
n Grayshield is a retired Arizona resident who is traveling through the Gallup area for the Navajo Nation fair. Her husband formerly worked for the National Institute of Health at the Pentagon at the time of the attacks. “It was a close call,” Grayshield said. “What’s really concerning is our border,” she said. “ ... They really need to clamp down on those coming across.”

Ramon Chavez
n Chavez, a local business owner, said he does not feel safe since the attacks and the war on terrorism began. “I think our involvement in Iraq is creating anger,” Chavez said. “ ... I think the troops should come home tomorrow.” He said the war on terrorism may have gone astray.