Thank you, Canada: Remembering 9/11
Ten years ago, nearly 3,000 innocent people -- citizens from 77 countries around the world -- lost their lives in the worst terrorist attack in American history. As we look back on the events that took place in New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia, it is important to remember the people we lost and the families they left behind, and to honor the heroic men and women who rushed to the scene as first responders and saved countless lives, even when it meant giving their own.
It is also important, however, to recognize the small mercies and acts of compassion that took place in the days, months and years following the attacks. Even as the world struggled to come to grips with the senseless terror that had manifested itself, Canadians responded with an outpouring of compassion and solidarity -- from the flowers and messages of support left outside the United States Embassy and its Consulates, to airports taking in over 200 planes that were diverted from the U.S. in the wake of the attacks, to the way ordinary Canadians opened their homes to thousands of stranded passengers and flight crews.
Ten years after those horrific events, we remember these acts of compassion with gratitude. The events of 9/11 were designed to spread a message of hatred; by responding with caring and generosity, Canadians showed that such destructive messages will never win out over kindness and compassion.
Thank you, Canada.
Remembering 9/11: News and Events
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11 September 2011: Remarks by Ambassador Jacobson at 9/11 Memorial Ceremony in Gander, Newfoundland
"On a day when some tried to strike a blow at the very core of what it means to be human, the people of Gander, people across Canada, affirmed -- with grace, with compassion and with good humor -- our faith in the goodness of people. You were the best of us."
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11 September 2011: Remembering 9/11 in Halifax
Consul General Smith: "We are so lucky, for once again, you proved yourselves to be the best of neighbors."
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11 September 2011: Day of Remembrance in Moncton
To commemorate the events of September 11, 2001, the City of Moncton held a Day of Remembrance event.
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11 September 2011: 9/11 Memorial Service at Peace Arch
The Peace Arch was the site of a moving 9/11 memorial service today, as hundreds of first responders -- including firefighters, police and EMTs -- gathered to pay tribute to the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
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11 September 2011: Calgary Consulate General Marks 9/11
At a pair of events today, the U.S. Consulate General in Calgary memorialized the tragic events of September 11, 2001.
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11 September 2011: Ambassador Jacobson in Gander
Prior to the official ceremony in Gander, Newfoundland, commemorating the 10th anniversary of 9/11, Ambassador Jacobson met with people from the city and beyond whose lives were touched by that day.
