Bearding brings people together.
Here is a recent email exchange between Beard Team USA's Larry Donaldson and Magne Torring of Oslo, Norway. Magne happened to be on the train with Beard Team USA from Trondheim to Oslo last May:
Magne,
With all the chaos going on around the bombing and shooting in Oslo, I hope you are doing OK. You have been on my mind a lot the last few days. The terrorism in Norway has been getting a lot of coverage in the US. It seems to be so much like Timothy McVeigh and the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995.
The train ride from Trondheim to Oslo was one of the highlights of my Norway trip. Having you tell me more about your country was very special.
Remember we are all thinking about you and your country in these trying times.
Larry Donaldson (member of Beard Team USA) ___________________
Dear Larry.
Thank you so much for your concern and support. We are all shaken, but I hope we can get through this without giving in to hatred and fear. Yesterday somewhere around 150 000 people gathered in Oslo carrying flowers, to mourn the victims and show defiance. But not a word of revenge was spoken except one – the mayor of Oslo said: "We will have our revenge on the perpetrator by becoming an even more open, even warmer society." I truly believe that is the only way ahead.
It was also an absolute pleasure for me to share coach with the Beard Team USA and with you. It is so easy to make assumptions about the U.S., and I truly appreciated being able to talk to you and learn more about your country and all of its variety. It was a highlight for me as well.
Magne Torring