VJ marissa

The need to keep a vigilant eye open for possible threats against human life played out again recently in Washington, D.C. at the Holocaust Museum. When accused shooter James von Brunn opened fire near the entrance of the museum, he once again made a statement that we need to make sure we protect ourselves and our nation against all terrorists, including "homegrown" narrow minded racists. The citizens of the United States of America must work together to thwart the attacks on fellow citizens.

The people of our hotel industry can help the rest of us by watching for suspicious, and possibly threatening, individuals. As the industry's concierges put on their hospitality uniforms they need to be reviewing not only where the latest and hippest attractions are, but what a potential threat to national security might look like. Individuals who inquire about certain details of museums, galleries, and landmarks might be important faces to remember.

The rest of the industry should also keep their eyes open. The industry's employees wear hotel uniforms, and these allow them access into places that are secure for the guest. This may mean noticing things in a guest's room or the weight of a specific piece of luggage. In today's world of terrorism nothing can be overlooked. We need hotel employees who understand what threatening items might look like and how to properly report potential threats.

Some people might laugh at the idea that the simple employees of a hotel can add to our security, but let us not forget that it was a simple group of passengers on Flight 93 that saved us from final attack on 9-11. These people are a great example of what concerned citizens can do. The employees of a hotel's spa may over hear an important bit of information as a madman gives himself one last indulgence. We cannot discount even those who are wearing spa uniforms as unimportant in our desire to keep this great country safe.