I drew in snow on the Des Moines Police car in Iowa and sent the post card to NYC police stations.

2/11/2002 Kristine Smith responded in an email  -  “I’am a police officer at the 9th Precinct in Manhattan.  We received your postcard a few days ago, and I just wanted to let you know how really cool we all thought it was.  We posted it on the front desk so everyone walking by could see it.  I can’t tell you how touching it is to know that people like you in all parts of our country are thinking of us. We know the whole country is hurting and we SO appreciate all the thoughtful things that people everywhere have done for us.  Please thank your friends at the Des Moines Police Department and let them know their kindness and support have not gone unnoticed. Please accept my thanks, on behalf of our entire precinct, for sharing that picture with us. Know that you too, are in our thoughts and prayers. NY LOVES IOWA!  - Kristine Smith

After the 9/11 attack I drove from Des Moines, Iowa, to NYC to take photos.  I had car trouble in Ohio and returned to Des Moines.  I then took a 24 hour bus ride and arrived in NYC that Friday.  After I returned I sent 364 photo postcards to random New Yorkers expressing Iowa’s support for them.  Sometimes I used old New York and Statue of Liberty stamps.  I received about 29 letters and cards and 26 emails back from New Yorkers. You can find this content on my website that contains a few of the photos I took in New York, some images that I sent as post cards, and the New York responses. I created all the photos with “I Love NY” in them.  No photoshop. I was 38 years old then and I am now 63. Recently, I wanted to reach out to people who responded back then but many of the emails are not valid, bars have closed, organizations have moved, and some have passed away.  You may forward this email to anyone you like. If you need a high resolution version of something let me know.

Always pulling for “America’s City” and its people.  Rural Iowans care for our Big Apple friends to the East.

https://wilcoxgregorya.myportfolio.com/i-love-new-york

Greg Wilcox, Des Moines, Iowa

Sept 5, 2026