Memories of 9/11 for Calvin Counselor

September 6, 2006 == MEDIA ADVISORY

The upcoming five-year anniversary of the attacks on New York City and the
Pentagon will stir memories for many.

One such person is Calvin College counselor Dan Vandersteen.

In 2001 he journeyed to Ground Zero to listen to those who had been impacted
by the attacks on the city of New York.

In fact he arrived in New York on September 16, 2001, at a time when the city
looked a lot like a war zone with expressways and tunnels still closed, and a
heavy scent of fear and uncertainty in the air.

Then, in September 2002, Vandersteen returned to New York again, to again
listen to those impacted by 9/11 on the one-year anniversary.

And while he doesn't plan to be back in New York for the five-year anniversary
of the event, the people of New York are never far from his mind.

"We often talk about the evilness and brokenness in people,'' Vandersteen
says, "but what I remember about both trips to New York was the willingness of
the people to help others along the way and come to grips with what was
important.''

Vandersteen says that for many survivors what was important were their
families and their own spiritual conditions. And his experiences at Ground
Zero helped remind him that God is in charge and in control.

Prior to coming to Calvin, Vandersteen worked at Pine Rest Christian Mental
Health Services in Grand Rapids as a counselor and therapist, and was a member
of the Pine Rest Critical Incident Response Team. He also has trained with the
Detroit fire department and with the American Red Cross.

In addition to his work in New York he has responded to crisis situations in
Minnesota (flooding), Puerto Rico (hurricane) and Louisiana (after Katrina).

Contact Vandersteen at dv23@calvin.edu or 616-526-7027

-end-
Received on Wed Sep 6 14:16:06 2006