Where Were You on September 11, 2001?

A Day We Will Never Forget

America was changed forever on September 11, 2001. As we reflect on the 10-year anniversary of this tragedy, I wanted to share something we have presented to the FreePromoTips audience for the last few years. I find this story shared by past PPAI Chairman, Paul Kiewiet, MAS, CIP to be quite inspirational.

As is occasionally the case when we publish things, out of the thousands of people who read our commentaries, a few people have been offended. And that is OK. Although it is not our intention to anger or offend with this or any column, we feel strongly about the positive message here. Regardless, your thoughts are always welcome by contacting us directly or posting below.

Most of you can recall where you were when the shocking news of these terrorist attacks occurred. On that fateful morning, Paul Kiewiet was preparing to start his annual Golf Odyssey Conference and End User Show. Paul was presenting to a group of about 100 clients and some suppliers during a "Power Breakfast." As he was nearing his conclusion, he received the tragic news of what had happened that morning. Paul turned on the big screen TV at the back of the auditorium and the group witnessed the first tower burning and moments later the second attack.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
Years ago, Paul shared this story and the response he received from one of his end user clients regarding the decision he made. This person apparently felt quite strongly about the use of branded corporate gifts and recognition awards. He greatly appreciated that Paul chose to continue on with the day’s events. Here is the letter:

"Promotional motivation and incentives do indeed serve in a tremendously important capacity in our society, simply because you all deal daily with matters that place value on individual human effort and commitment.

We can only guess how many of the poor souls in the World Trade Center Towers had reminders of their value on their desks and walls, given to them by those that cared about their business and personal relationships.

In no other business that I can think of, is that idea more important than in yours. For that reason alone, you and your staff served a greater good by continuing on with your program and its goals."

*******************************************

I've shared this story in seminars through the years and there is really nothing I can add to it. We are in an awesome business and what we do has value.

Many refer to what we sell as "trash and trinkets" and lately our industry has come under fire lately by people who don’t understand the proven effective impact of our marketing medium. Click here for links to some of these shocking stories that include: "California Bans Promotional Products," "Trinkets Not Made in Missouri Create a Sticky Situation!" and “What do Promotional Products Have in Common with Illegal Hand Guns and Dirty Used Syringes.”

In this article I have shared the powerful impact our products have on lives…contrasted with attacks on our industry. Promotional products, awards, imprinted apparel and incentives offer an unprecedented branding and relationship building opportunity that other advertising mediums can’t.

Life is filled with tragedies and challenges. It’s also filled with joy and great rewards. Let’s reflect on our blessings and consider how we can make a positive difference in our lives. Show love for our families, care about our neighbors and serve our clients to the best of our abilities.

“If there is any kindness I can show, any good thing I can do to any fellow human being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again.” William Penn

Thanks to Paul A. Kiewiet MAS, CIP for sharing this story. www.paulkiewiet.com

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Comments

0 #36 2011-09-12 14:42

Thanks for sharing this with us..Greatly Appreciated..
I watched the events all weekend..but this will keep in my memory forever..which we need as a Nation..

I saved each link to share with others..

God Blesses America and the Souls of those who we Lost from that TERRIBLE DAY!!

Thanks Again

Shirley

0 #35 2011-09-11 05:26

Great story! Thanks for sharing it.

0 #34 2010-09-11 05:21

Sent directly to FreePromoTips:

THANKS for the 9/11 remembrance. I sent a note to my contacts about the national memorial. I will always remember how the world changed that day.

0 #33 2010-09-11 03:36

Sent directly to FreePromoTips:

Thanks.....for remembering.....we should NEVER FORGET

0 #32 2010-09-11 03:35

Sent directly to FreePromoTips:

Jon C. Vandevander (Murdered 9/11/2001) Son, Husband, Father & My Friend

0 #31 2010-09-11 03:34

Sent directly to FreePromoTips:

Jeff,

Nice job! As a retired career firefighter myself, each year I send out the following link to help people remember.

fdnylodd.com/.../...

I finally had a chance to visit "Ground Zero" myself a few weeks ago, finding it a very emotional experience. I remember commenting (ironically) to my grown son how the trip was like a firefighter's "pilgrimage to Mecca".

0 #30 2010-09-11 03:32

Sent directly to FreePromoTips:

Very nice. Thanks for the remembrances and pause in our regular work life to remember.

0 #29 2010-09-10 15:41

This is a day that I will never forget - my now husband, our 1st anniversary was 9-9-10 - my husband was to inspect the tower on top of the building at the World Trade Center that Tuesday morning at 8:30. Due to technical difficulties the local engineer had worked all night Sunday and all day Monday, consequently, the Regional Engineer ask them to reschedule their inspection for Wednesday. It saved my close friend at the time, now my husband and the engineer, their tower is now located at the top of the Empire State Building. I did not know whether my husband was dead or alive for a day and a half. I Praise God that they were both spared in the horrific event. God Bless the families and friends of the ones we lost. I was not in this business at the time but was employed by Clear Channel Worldwide working in Radio. As many of you did, we all bonded together and prayed for our Nation and each other!

0 #28 2010-09-10 15:37

I was at our regional's end user show at a continuing education seminar. I heard about the first plane going in, then we were updated about the second plane. The weather in PA was clear - I could not understand at first why a plane would hit a building. It was evident there was some type of attack as the day went on.
My mind was on a friend of mine who did IT work for one of the financial institutions in the tower. I knew that he worked overnight and I called him to check how he was. I must have called him 10 times throughout the day. I was concerned that he was killed in the attack. He finally called me around 1 pm that day. He spoke of seeing the people jumping to escape the flames. The trauma of seeing the people hit the ground still haunts him to this day. We must remember that in addition to the dead, there were several injured, mentally and physically. The workers that suffer from the hazardous materials, the folks that saw others die before their eyes, the police officers and firefighters that faced the ultimate tragedy that day. We must remember them all.

0 #27 2010-09-10 13:41

I commend you for presenting this story. We need to always remember. Thanks.

0 #26 2010-09-10 13:16

Jeff, I met you one time at a trade show and was impressed by your passion for life and our industry. You should be commended for thinking outside the box and doing a non-commercial e-mail like this. It's a great story.

0 #25 2010-09-10 13:13

Thank you so much for this. We shouldn't forget what happened that day. Paul's story and the comments from his client should be an encouragement to us during these horrible economic times. We are in a great business and can do so much to help our clients. Let's not forget that.

0 #24 2009-09-14 12:43

How can such a simple and sincere question cause such a mix of posts which makes me think that most people were safe in their homes when IT happened. I for one was 1800 miles away from home waiting at the airport in Seattle WA. for my flight when the TV showed the report.
I was finishing the 4 day trip for the \"spreading of my brothers ashes\" and looking forward to getting home and have my birthday cake - yes, Sept. 11th is my birthday so i have a lot of emotions envloved.
The decisions that some of us were forced to make that day were just instinct and shows what we are made of. I saw a lot of people in the airport sit down and just shut down.
The question is did you just \"shut down\" or continue to do what was needed for your life when the buildings collapsed??? I would not critize anyone\'s actions on that day. At least they took action, i know i lived it.

P.S. it took 4 days to get home to Las Vegas. How many would if of taken you?

0 #23 2009-09-11 12:40

I work indirectly with the pp business but always enjoy this newsletter for its content. This is appropriate today and for this context. This is the business of recognition. The people who died were many things to many people. They might have looked around their offices that day when they knew they were not going to make it out and felt appreciated by those who would miss them. Someone took the time to recognize them while they were alive so they felt appreciated. Something we should all do.

0 #22 2009-09-11 11:05

Jeff, remembering is definitely positive. Having to be reminded is sad. This should be a day that is seared in the mind of every American.

And I do know that it is an end user. I object to the wording and connection made between promotional products and 9/11. \"reminders of value\" and \"poor souls\". I find the connection abhorrent. But as they say on the internet, IMHO. Maybe I\'m the only one, but so be it.

0 #21 2009-09-11 10:44

Nobody should have to be reminded of that day. Reminding means we have a tendency to forget. The murder of 3000 people in one place at one time is not something one should have to be reminded of.

0 #20 2009-09-11 10:37

Alan: Keep in mind that the quote featured was from an end user client:
\"We can only guess how many of the poor souls in the World Trade Center Towers had reminders of their value on their desks and walls, given to them by those that cared about their business and personal relationships.\"

The wording may not be to your liking, but the point is their is a value the recognition and gifts we are able to bestow on others.

Regarding the need to be reminded,I don\'t think most of us reflect on 911 daily. This date has become a day to be reminded about that tragic day when America was changed forever. I don\'t see that as sad...remembering on this particular day is positive.

0 #19 2009-09-11 09:56

My husband was on the last PATH train into the World Trade Center on that day. He walked up the stairs and smelled diesel fuel and began to feel the panic and run out of the building to horrors that I will not post. Luckily he made it out alive. I worked downtown for years, passed through those buildings 1,000\'s of times, lost a dozen friends on that day and no matter where I am forever I will remember my friends who worked hard and played hard and cared about others more than they cared about themselves at times. I will never forget the panic, the fear and the intensity of that moment. So on this day, through the tears that always fall and the flag that I always raise, I think of how all of us should strive to be better people. I think of how my friends that died on 9/11 would want me to act and I put myself into my work with the integrity I always had remembering....always remembering....my dear friends that are no longer here. They would want me to be strong through kindness and have the courage to make sure that people always remember. Hug your family tonight....be thankful and remember.

0 #18 2009-09-11 09:55

PAUL,
PLEASE KEEP REMINDING AMERICA ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TO ALL OF US ON THIS TERRIBLE DAY. GOD BLESS AMERICA NOW AND IN THE DAYS TO COME.

0 #17 2009-09-11 08:39

\"We can only guess how many of the poor souls in the World Trade Center Towers had reminders of their value on their desks and walls, given to them by those that cared about their business and personal relationships.\"

I remember this comment and always thought it was kind of stupid. The other thing I find hard to believe is that there are those who have commented that they had to be \'reminded\'. Sad, sad indeed.

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