Happy New Year to my friends and colleagues:
As some of you are aware, I was one of two Xerox
employees who had the honor
of carrying the Olympic Torch here in Rochester on New Year's Eve.
I carried the Torch in honor of the Xerox employees,
former employees and
relatives of employees who perished on 9/11. In a pouch over my heart were
photographs given to me by the families of Sean Booker, Robert Chin, Marco
Motroni, Todd Pelino, Diane & George Simmons and Zack Zeng.
"Once in a lifetime" is almost the
ultimate cliché, but also the only way to
describe this wonderful experience. Before my Torch was lit I was terrified
that I would stumble and extinguish the Olympic flame (resulting in the
cancellation of the Winter Games) or light myself and/or the spectators on
fire. But when the flame leapt to my Torch I suddenly felt that I could
carry it gracefully all the way to Salt Lake City. All good things must end,
though, and after 2/10 of a mile I passed the flame to the torch of a
beautiful young lady.
I just wanted to let you know that, if you are
in Rochester, there will be a
little display in the Commons area of the fifth floor of Xerox Square until
Friday January 5th. You are welcome to come see the Olympic Torch I carried,
the Torchbearer uniform and the victims' photographs, as well as some
photographs of the Torch Relay that (available Wednesday afternoon).
Keep smiling throughout 2002 and let's all hope for a MUCH better year.