Industry Focus

It's 8:45 a.m. on Sept. 11 as I write this, and, frankly, it is difficult to concentrate. The blue skies in the Chicagoland area are conspicuously quiet, and my commute to work was dismal. In nearly every car, people looked sad; some were crying.

It is challenging during this time to find something to think about other than those who lost their lives one year ago. But there are many people of whom we can be proud, families for whom we can be hopeful and days for which we have reasons to smile.

And when remembering the agony of Sept. 11, 2001, you as a roofing professional can be proud to be part of an industry that has accomplished so much for its country.

As you probably are aware, NRCA helped raise money for the American Red Cross and organized the reroofing of portions of the Pentagon's roof system that were damaged. The NRCA Pentagon Project story has been told by roofing industry publications, association publications and the national media. And the industry earned an additional honor this Sept. 11.

NRCA received a 2002 Daily Points of Light Award from the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network, Corporation for National Service and Knights of Columbus for the NRCA Pentagon Project. In addition, NRCA was honored on the Points of Light Foundation's Web site, www.pointsoflight.org, as the foundation's Daily Points of Light Award winner on Sept. 11. The story about NRCA still is available on the Web site.

The Daily Points of Light Award originated during former President George H.W. Bush's term as a movement to engage individuals, families, businesses, groups and organizations to solve community problems in innovative ways.

The award is given each weekday to honor volunteers who exemplify caring and responsibility for others.

Also on Sept. 11, the Pentagon held its Phoenix Worker Appreciation Ceremony to honor those who worked to restore the Pentagon. Major donors to the NRCA Pentagon Project were in attendance.

The ceremony featured the U.S. Air Force Band and remarks by Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz, as well as a written message from Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.

In his message, Rumsfeld said: "I have seen the patriotic dedication with which you embraced the challenge of moving Pentagon personnel back into their offices ... by the one-year anniversary of the attack. Your work has sent a message to the world that we are strong and united in our resolve."

Ambika Puniani is editor of Professional Roofing magazine and NRCA's director of communications.

To reach me, write 10255 W. Higgins Road, Suite 600, Rosemont, IL 60018-5607; telephone (847) 299-9070, Ext. 255; or e-mail apuniani@nrca.net.