Please visit the American Embassy in - September 11 Remembered website for much more info on UK related September 11th info including commemorative events from the UK`s Fire and Police Services.

From the BBC
Wednesday, 11 September, 2002, 17:48 GMT 18:48 UK

A memorial tree was planted at Belfast City Hall

Belfast paid formal tribute to all those who lost their lives in the attacks during a ceremony at the City Hall on Wednesday.

Osama Bin Laden's al-Qaeda network is believed to have been behind the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

Among the thousands who died were people from across Ireland while others lost friends and relatives.

A wreath was laid at the tree planted at Belfast City Hall

More than 200 people attended the ceremony at Belfast City Hall.

Among those gathered were the County Tyrone relatives of a workman who lost his life in the attacks.

A commemorative tree was planted and a plaque unveiled in the grounds of the City Hall.

The event was in memory of those who lost their lives in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington DC.

A minute's silence was also observed during the ceremony, which was led by Belfast Lord Mayor Alex Maskey, US Consul-General Barbara Stephenson and councillor Chris McGimpsey, chair of the council's policy and resources committee.

Lost relatives

The maple tree, planted in the north-eastern corner of the grounds, was donated by Belfast woman Margaret Madden, who lost a relative in the atrocity.

She was joined at the ceremony by other local people who lost loved ones.

Niall Kilpatrick from County Tyrone, whose cousin Sean Canavan was among those trapped in New York's Twin Towers, said: "It just feels as if it was yesterday rather than last year."

In Dublin, Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern and President Mary McAleese attended a special service in the pro-cathedral.

Firefighters paid tribute to their New York comrades

At Belfast International Airport, ministers from the four main churches held an act of commemoration at 1330 BST and hundreds of people observed a minute's silence at 1346 BST.

Firefighters across the province mirrored the tribute, remembering their US counterparts who lost their lives while trying to save others.

A silence was also observed at City of Derry Airport.

At the Bloody Sunday Inquiry in Londonderry, the judges, barristers, families and people in the public gallery stood in silence in the hearing chamber.

President McAleese observed a minute's silence at that time when she visited County Fermanagh.

Later on Wednesday there was a special service at Clonard Monastery.

Fire-fighters pause to remember colleagues

It was a. particularly poignant time as those fire-fighters who died in New York on September 11, 2001 were among those remembered.

The Fire Services National Benevolent Fund, the Fire-fighters' Memorial Charitable Trust and the Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers' Association hosted the inaugural International Fire-fighters' Day-of Remembrance.

The National Act of Remembrance took the form of a Service at St. Giles Church in London to which two local fire- fighters were invited.

That was followed by a march to the fire-fighters' national memorial adjacent to St. Paul's Cathedral where a wreath laying ceremony took place. .

The Northern Ireland Fire Brigade was represented along with officers and fire-fighters from brigades across the United Kingdom.

To mark the occasion in Northern Ireland a quiet and-dignified wreath laying ceremony was held at the commemorative sculpture at Seymour Street.

Crews in fire stations across the province joined the act of remembrance by observing a one minute silence at 3.30pm. .

Gardaí and PSNI contribute $232,000 to New York Families

Commissioner Byrne & Chief Constable Flanagan present the Cheque to Sean Melly of the US-Ireland Alliance

An Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland have raised a total of $232,000 (dollars) in support of the families of New York police officers and fire fighters who died in the terrorist attack on September 11.

The money will go to the Innisfree Fund, set up by the US - Ireland Alliance. It will be used to offer holidays in Ireland to the families of the murdered police and fire officers.

Garda Commissioner Pat Byrne, and PSNI Chief Constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan presented the cheque to Alliance board member, Sean Melly, at Garda Headquarters. Commissioner Byrne spoke of the 'fruitful and successful relationship' which had long been enjoyed between An Garda Síochána and the New York Police Department. He continued: "This small token to-day from the police services of this island confirms, yet again, the affinity that exists between police officers and will express to our colleagues in the NYPD our sincere sympathy, friendship and support."

Sir Ronnie said :"The Police Service of Northern Ireland is delighted to contribute to the Innisfree Fund to in some small way help alleviate the great pain caused to families affected by the September 11 disaster. That families with Irish connections North and South can come on holiday here and hopefully ease their great pain is a unique means by which we can be of some real assistance."

Learning of the contribution, New York Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said: "The entire New York Police Department is grateful to our fellow police officers in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland for their generous support of the families of our fallen comrades. There has been a strong tie between the island of Ireland and the NYPD and we are touched by this outpouring of support for these families."

US-lreland Alliance board member, Sean Melly, said that the Alliance had written to more than 400 families who had been bereaved to ascertain the level of interest in holidays in Ireland. He added: "More than half of the families have already responded and nearly every family wishes to take up the offer, confirming early expectations that this would be popular."

 From the american Embassy in London website
September 11 Remembered
"After September 11: Images from Ground Zero"
Joel Meyerowitz Photo Exhibit

Within a few days of the September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center in New York, the Museum of the City of New York engaged the noted photographer Joel Meyerowitz to create an archive of the destruction and recovery at Ground Zero and the immediate neighborhood. The 9/11 Photographic Archive will eventually number more than 5,000 images and will become part of the permanent collections of the Museum of the City of New York where it will be available for research, exhibition, and publication.

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the U.S. State Department asked the Museum of the City of New York and Joel Meyerowitz to create a special exhibition of images from the developing archive that would be sent to major world cities. The exhibit "After September 11: Images From Ground Zero" made its European debut in London in March 2002 and will be available to regional venues in the United Kingdom for the next three years. Exhibition Schedule.

A bugler plays Taps Glyn Davies, the Deputy Chief of Mission at the American Embassy, said it was fitting that London was chosen as the first location for the exhibition's launching in Europe because "this nation and this city really poured out its heart in a huge way to New York after September 11." Shortly after the attack, he said, 50,000 people came "over the course of just 10 days" to offer their condolences at a special center set up in Grosvenor Square near the embassy, "which was absolutely the most incredible tribute, I think, on the part of Londoners and Britons to the United States." "Joel Meyerowitz captures the resilience and the spirit of Americans and of freedom-loving people everywhere. His images remind the viewer of the true face of terrorism and its threat to humankind -- a threat that must be combated" Assistant Secretary of State Patricia S. Harrison The flag, midnight Robert Macdonald, director of the Museum of the City of New York, which is sponsoring Meyerowitz's photo project, told the audience the pictures capture "the cathedral-like atmosphere of Ground Zero; [and] of the city coming back." While the exhibition is a witness and photographic record of the physical devastation caused by the terrorist attacks, he said, "it also reaffirms the resolve of the American people to overcome their grief at the loss of human life and their determination to preserve the values that are central to our democracy."" "I think it's a very realistic depiction of what happened -- it brought it all back to me. The 17 acres of twisted steel, which was terrible to view, became a place of inspiration when you saw the rescuers who were digging through the rubble with their hands," Captain Daniel Daly, New York Fire Department Smoke rising through sunlight Joel Meyerowitz said: "It is a privilege to work at Ground Zero. Everyone who works there has been transformed by the spirituality of the place. The camaraderie among the workers there has been transformed by the spirituality of the place. The camaraderie among the workers in the zone reminds me of the stories we've heard about the world wars, where men and women are thrown together by a common cause, share tragedies and victories, and are forever bound to one another by their effort."

After September 11: Images From Ground Zero an IIP@State web site

Northern Ireland Secretary Of State Attends Service For 11 September Victims

Statement, 29 November 2001

Secretary Of State Dr. John Reid MP today attended a service at Westminster Abbey for the United Kingdom families of those who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks in the United States Of America on September 11th 2001.

This was the first service to which all United Kingdom families who lost close relatives in the atrocity had been invited. Two families from Northern Ireland were in attendance.

Speaking before the service Dr. Reid said ;

"This is a fitting way to honour and remember the families of those people from the United Kingdom who lost their lives so tragically in these terrible attacks. Some eleven weeks after the events it is still difficult to comprehend the sheer scale of loss and wanton destruction.

"It is important that with the passing of time the events of September 11th don't fade from our memory. My heart goes out to all those who lost loved ones that day. Their grief continues but they should not be left to grieve alone."

11 September 2002
Northern Ireland pays tribute to September 11 victims

Belfast has held its own commemoration ceremony for the victims of the
September 11 attacks on the US last year.
Over 200 people attended the ceremony inside the grounds of Belfast City
Hall to hear Belfast Lord Mayor Alex Maskey and Cllr Chris McGimpsey pay
tribute to those who died in last year's attacks, alongside American
Consul-General, Barbara Stephenson.
In his speech the Lord Mayor said that those assembled at today's
anniversary ceremony were there to show "our continuing support for the
people of the United States and our many friends there. We do so with
the harrowing scenes of that day very deeply engraved in our collective
memories".
Mr Maskey also said that despite being thousands of miles from home,
American citizens situated in Belfast were among friends, adding: "In a
way, you are home, for we think of you as part of our family here in
Belfast… no matter how long or short a time you plan to stay here with us."
However, he added: "The shock of what we witnessed and the pain which we
share of those touched directly in the events of that day has left very
deep wounds indeed."
In her brief speech Mrs Stephenson thanked the people of Northern
Ireland for their kindness and generosity over the past year and
especially in the days and weeks after last years attacks.
After a one-minute silence the planting of a commemorative tree and
unveiling of commemorative plaque took place inside the grounds.
The First and Deputy First Ministers also attended services of
commemoration in London and Belfast.
In a joint statement, Mr Trimble and Mr Durkan said: "It is important
that we remember those whose lives were taken in such a horrific way on
September 11 2001. We think today of their families and friends as they
commemorate their loved ones and we extend to them our heartfelt
sympathy in their grief.
"We in Northern Ireland have been grateful for the solidarity and
support offered to us by America in recent years. At this difficult time
of remembrance we wish to extend our solidarity and support to all those
who lost their loved ones on this day one year ago."
The First Minister attended a service at St Paul’s Cathedral, London,
while the Deputy First Minister was at a memorial mass at Clonard
Monastry, Belfast, earlier today.
A one-minute silence also took place across Northern Ireland's three
main airports at Derry, Aldergrove and Belfast City.

September 11 Remembered
Remarks at the Commemorative Plaque Ceremony, Lothian and Borders Fire Brigade

Remarks by Liane R. Dorsey, Principal Officer
American Consulate General, Edinburgh

Lothian and Borders Fire Brigade Headquarters
September 11, 2002

It's been a year since September 11, 2001 when acts of terror killed thousands, shattered the New York City skyline, shook economies, changed the focus of global-strategic planning, and started a war. We will never forget the innocent victims and the brave heroes who died attempting to save them. We will never forget the survivors, the children, the devastated families and the grieving friends they left behind. And we will never forget that this was an attack against humanity with victims from more than 80 countries and many races and religions.

We are inspired by the courage and the selflessness of countless people in the World Trade Center, at the Pentagon and in the skies over Pennsylvania, who put the safety of others before that of themselves.

There was no silver lining to this dark cloud. Yet then, as now, as we shudder profoundly at the depths of evil that man can perpetrate on his fellow man, we find comfort and hope in the dedication, the bravery and the humanity of the firefighters, the police, the rescue workers and others who risked their lives (and sadly in many cases lost them) doing their duty and helping others.

As Abraham Lincoln said of those fallen at Gettysburg, "The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us; that from these honoured dead we take increased devotion to the cause from which they gave the last full measure of devotion."

Together as we mourn the loss of the September 11 heroes and commemorate their bravery, we stand strong as well, strong in our values, proud of our freedoms, united in our common humanity and committed to the fight against terrorism.

As my county's representative in Scotland, I would like again to thank the Scottish people for the support and solidarity they have shown to America and Americans since September 11. We were deeply moved by Parliament's memorial session on September 12 and the eloquent words of the former First Minister, the Presiding Officer and the party leaders; by the memorial event in George Square, led by the Lord Provost and Glasgow's religious leaders; and by the special service in St. Giles and the prayers for the suffering said by clerics of all faiths in their places of worship. Together this nation's firefighters stood a little more than a year ago at the Citizen Firefighter statue in Glasgow remembering those who died bravely in New York doing their duty. There have been fund-raising events, civic ceremonies, memorials and moments of silence, and countless letters, flowers, emails and condolence book messages from people from all walks of life offering sympathy, kind personal thoughts, prayers, solidarity and assistance to the suffering and the stranded. We had letters from those who had personal ties to Americans or experiences in the twin towers but also a letter from the Scottish grandmother who had never been to America and knew no Americans but wanted us to know she cared. And we had a letter from one of those who had been first on the scene of the Lockerbie tragedy and was faced with the memories of another horror while overwhelmed at the scale of this one. And there were also the words and pictures of Scottish children who saw the horrible images, felt the pain and reached out beautifully ... including one of the dearest, littlest correspondents who sent a picture of the towers with the hope that those concerned (those there) would "get better soon."

We continue to draw strength and comfort from the support of those who stand beside us. In the past year, the United States and the United Kingdom have accomplished so much together as each other's greatest allies - forging an international coalition against terror, liberating Afghanistan, unseating the Taliban and chasing Al-Qaeda, tightening aviation security, freezing the assets of terror, and funding Afghan relief and reconstruction.

One has only to look at recent newspapers to see stories of the latest thwarted terrorists and know that a challenge remains to us. But we know that despite whatever small differences we may have, when a fundamental threat appears to the values and freedoms we share, we stand together. And this is perhaps the most reassuring lesson from September 11.

Thank you. We are deeply moved by this fitting tribute to the firefighters who lost their lives on September 11, 2001 in New York City.