WHEN FOOTAGE of the
World Trade Center and
Pentagon in flames were beamed around the world Sept. 11, it resonated in a special way with folks in Frejus, France.

For 20 years, Fredericksburg has been a Sister City to the sunny town on the French Riviera.

That's two decades' worth of exchanges, trips, cultural swaps, celebrations, letters, e-mails and, most importantly, friendship.

So when the residents and leaders of Frejus watched in shock as the destruction unfolded on television, it wasn't just any country or any people that they saw.

It was the country of the Fredericksburg folks they'd met, hosted, visited and come to know as friends.

"Because of the tie between the two cities, we were on their minds as the story spread," said Phyllis Whitley, an official with the Fredericksburg Sister City Association. "They decided to put out a blank book where people could set down their thoughts and concerns."

That book, along with pictures and proclamations, will go on display Wednesday at the Central Rappahannock Regional Library headquarters on Caroline Street in downtown Fredericksburg.

Whitley and some other folks in the local Sister City group shared the book with me, and explained that it had been there for all to write in at the Frejus version of City Hall.

Judy Hansen, secretary of the local Sister City group, helped me translate many of the inscriptions.

Neither one of us did very well with the signatures, which tended to be fancily scribbled and hard to decipher.

The thrust of the messages was a shared outrage and sympathy for our country.

"Today, we are all Americans," said one writer.

Added another: "We are all hurting. We cry and pray for you, our American brothers and sisters."

"God bless all Americans," said someone named Jean.

Added another writer: "Be courageous on this most horrible of days. All of our hearts are with you."

Elie Brun, the mayor of Frejus, wrote a more formal letter, sending his city's best wishes and solidarity in the "face of these barbarous extremes.Your grief, anger and indignity are today ours.We feel for you."