WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.-As reported in Credit Union Journal 10 years ago, in the months that followed the 9/11 attacks, credit unions were swept up in events, including:
• CUNA cancelled its then Symposium and Annual General meeting scheduled in San Francisco, at which approximately 1,500 people were expected, citing "rhetoric about Afghanistan."
• Larry Sharp, then CEO of Arrowhead CU and a private pilot of more than 30 years, shared his view on how easy it was to get through airport security, and predicted much tougher security was coming.
• In Albany, N.Y., the New York State Credit Union League planted a weeping birch tree in remembrance of those lost or injured in the attacks. The new York Credit Union Foundation reported raising $50,000 within 36 hours of the attack.
• Credit unions in Gander, Newfoundland, joined others in their community in helping house, feed and meet the financial needs of more than 6,500 passengers aboard 240 flights bound for the U.S. at the time of the attack that were ordered to land at the local airport and then spent nearly a week there.
• Sept.11, 2001, was supposed to be remembered for something else: the ribbon-cutting for the new Credit Union House near the U.S. capitol. Numerous CEOs and trade association execs were soon found themselves looking for transportation and a way home like tens of thousands of others.
• In Boca Raton, Fla., employees wore masks due to an anthrax scare at a local post office. CUs in Washington, D.C., evacuated buildings on more than one occasion due to anthrax-related fears and two NAFCU staffers were tested for potential anthrax exposure. In Flint, Mich., Dort FCU evacuated after a mysterious substance was found on office chairs-it turned out to be cake icing from a recent birthday party.
