The people of Pembrokeshire will join with others across the world today (Friday) in a National Day of Mourning for those who lost their lives in Tuesday's terrorist outrage in the United States.
The county, along with the rest of the world, was shocked and stunned when two hijacked airplanes ploughed into the twin towers of the World Trade Center on New York's Manhattan island at around 2 pm (BST) on Tuesday.
More horror was to follow less than an hour later when a third airliner was deliberately flown into USA's military nerve centre, The Pentagon, in Washington.
A fourth hijacked plane, also believed to be en route to Washington, crashed in Pennsylvania, killing all on board.
Like the rest of the Free World, Pembrokeshire has been trying to come to terms with such heinous acts which caused mass destruction and loss of life.
Local leaders have joined with world leaders in expressing their sadness and sympathy for those who perished in the outrage.
Yesterday (Thursday), chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, Clr. Mrs. Rosemary Hayes, wrote directly to the US ambassador, His Excellency William S. Farish, at the American Embassy.
"It is with a profound sense of sadness that I write, on behalf of the people of the county of Pembrokeshire, in the aftermath of the horrific happenings of Tuesday.
"This county has, for many years, had close links with your country and we have been pleased to provide the British bases for several American oil companies as well as, for a number of years, the US Naval Facility at Brawdy.
"We like to think that many of your countrymen and women have been made welcome here and have been able to think of our county as a 'home from home'.
"It would be wrong of us to claim that we can share, or even completely comprehend, your sense of grief and loss. We have, however, been deeply moved by the horror of it all and, with the bravery and dignity shown by the people of New York and Washington.
"I pray that God will give you the strength and fortitude you will all need at this sad time and in the difficult months to come," she concluded.
As a mark of respect to the victims, flags outside County Hall were being flown at half mast this week.
Pembrokeshire County Council also cancelled next week's planned screening of the John Travolta film, Swordfish, at the Theatre Gwaun, Fishguard, because of its terrorist-associated content.
Owner of the Observer, Sir Ray Tindle also wrote to our group's newspaper in America on Wednesday expressing 'deep sympathy, concern and anger'.
The loss of life has yet to be calculated, and is believed to include a number of Britons, which has made for an anxious wait for several Pembrokeshire families with loved ones based in New York.
FAMILIES RELIEVED
Among those who had to wait for news were Des and June Marsh, of St. Florence, whose son, Nick, works as a trader on Wall Street.
Twenty-nine-year-old Nick, a former head boy of The Greenhill School, trained with Price Waterhouse in St. Albans and has been working in New York for the past four years.
"We heard just after 2 pm that Nick had been evacuated from his building, but heard nothing else until around 8.30 pm on Tuesday evening," his father Des told the Observer.
"News eventually came through from a friend of Nick's in London who had been e-mailed by Nick to pass on a message to his family that he was 'clear of the city and OK.'
"Naturally, the major concern of June and I, his brother and his brother's girlfriend, Chris and Jo, and his mother and father-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Wood, of Manorbier Newton, was for Nick's safety, so we were very relieved to hear from him," Mr. Marsh continued, adding that he had since spoken to Nick on the 'phone.
"We are also very happy to learn that other locals living and working in New York are safe and well too."
Nick, who lives outside New York with his wife, Nichola and two small sons, Rhys and Owen, returned to work yesterday (Thursday).
"We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our family and friends from all over the United Kingdom, and even in Australia, all the organisations we belong to and former colleagues who have contacted us to ask about Nick," Mr. Marsh continued.
"We have been greatly moved by the support of everyone.
"I must also apologise to them all if I was a bit gruff with them on the 'phone over the last few days, but as I hope they can appreciate, I wanted to keep the line clear to hear from Nick."
Another in New York during the terrorist attack was 29-year-old Sarah Lawrence.
A former pupil of Tenby's Greenhill School, Sarah works as a dress designer in Milan, but flew to New York last week with her collection for the New York Fashion Show.
Speaking to the Observer on Wednesday, her mother, Mrs. Brenda Lawrence, of New Road, Begelly, revealed that Sarah had watched events unfold from her hotel room, only a five-minute cab ride from the World Trade Center.
Sarah, who saw the second hijacked plane collide with the south tower, telephoned her mother almost immediately to say that she was safe.
"Thank God, I was so relieved," said Mrs. Lawrence.
Mrs. Lawrence explained that she had actually heard nothing about the atrocity when her daughter 'phoned and immediately put the television on to see what was happening.
"It was awful. How can people do such terrible things?" she asked.
"While talking on the 'phone, Sarah suddenly screamed and said "the building is collapsing, then the 'phone went dead," Mrs. Lawrence continued.
"It went dead a couple of times during our conversation.
"It was a very traumatic time for Sarah," said Mrs. Lawrence. "Thankfully she is OK and will now be trying to get out as soon as possible. She can't wait to get back to Milan."
Also based in Manhattan, working for Watson Wyatt, is Michael Broomhead, son of Freddie and Sue Broomhead, of Tenby's Waterloo House.
His office is near the Empire State Building, less that half-a-mile from the Twin Towers.
"Fortunately, Michael had a day off on Tuesday and was not in work," said his father.
"We just cannot believe what has happened."
Coincidently, Mrs. Broomhead only returned from the United States on Monday after attending a family christening.
Our thoughts are with you
The management and staff of the Observer send their deepest condolences to the people of America during this terrible time of tragedy.
Our sympathy also goes out to all those Britons and people of other nations caught up and affected by this unimaginable catastrophe.
Our thoughts are with you all.