“The only fence against the world is a thorough knowledge of
it,” according to 17th Century English philosopher and political
theorist John Locke.

Area residents and visitors in downtown Bradford on Sunday for
the Street Dreams Car Club’s eighth annual Autumn Daze car show
seemed to agree with that sentiment. Several individuals talked
candidly with The Era about the state of security in America five
years after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

“I think we are safer at this point,” Gary Southard of Rixford
said. “People’s attention was pretty relaxed (prior to Sept. 11) …
our guard was down.”

Southard went on to say it was his opinion the American public
never expected anything like the terrorist attacks that day, and
that the United States’ involvement in the War on Terror -ðarguably
the reason the country was targeted by those terrorists – is
unwarranted.

“I’m just glad my son’s not in the (military) service,” Southard
said, shaking his head.

Susie Huffman of St. Marys, also in Bradford for the car show,
said she thought those traveling by airplane today are much safer
than the frequent flyers just a few years ago.

“I don’t think there’s a day that does by that people don’t
think about it,” Huffman said of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. “I
think people are more aware. It woke up a lot of people.”

Jeanne Ferragine of Johnsonburg said that while she agrees the
public is more aware of the dangers that face our nation in this
day and age, we are really no safer now than on that day.

“I”m not saying they’re not trying,” Ferragine said. “But if bin
Laden and his followers want to get us, it doesn’t matter what we
do.”

She went on to say, however, that it does no good to dwell on
the fear associated with the attacks to the extent of letting it
prevent one from living his day-to-day life.

“You have to just go on living,” Ferragine said.

Charles “Chuck” Bretzin of Portville, N.Y., agreed with
Ferragine about security in America today.

“I can’t think that we are (safer),” Bretzin said. “They way
terrorists work, they could strike anywhere at any time.” He went
on to say fighting a war against terrorism is a new kind of war
than ever before.

He also said community observances of the anniversary of Sept.
11, now known in the U.S as Patriot Day, like the service and
procession of emergency vehicles planned today in Bradford, are
also very important.

“You have to recognize the problem; be aware and show
appreciation to those who are trying to do something about it,”
Bretzin said.

Bradford Mayor Michele Corignani, who attended and spoke at the
car show, said that while everyone has their own way of expressing
patriotism, the city has asked residents to fly flags at half-staff
as “a gesture to show that we will never forget (the attacks).”

When asked if she thought our nation’s citizens are any more
safe now than they were five years ago, Corignani said, “I think we
are more aware of the areas that need improvement … we’re more
prepared.”