President, dignitaries attend somber ceremony
MAVOCKE--Grassadellians came together Sunday to mark the tenth anniversary of the US September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania.
About people 13,000 turned out at Mavocke's Capitol Square for a remembrance ceremony at the foot of the Fountain of Enduring Hope.
During his speech, which headlined the event, President Brenton Menuhaeo recalled "that day of horror in September 2001," and noted that 38 Grassadellians lost their lives in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
"The world watched in horror and disbelief at what was unfolding in New York, and we here at home in Grassadellia were just beginning to count the damaging toll our own country would face, as well as that which our American friends would face," Menuhaeo said.
"But the September 11 terrorist attacks did not leave us living in fear, but rather led us to live in victory. The attacks did not dampen our desire for freedom and liberty, but only strengthened it. The gruesome killings of thousands of innocent people shattered our innocence, but did not destroy our spirits. Today, we grieve the loss of those we loved and those from other countries we did not know. But we stand victorious, we stand stronger than we were. We stand more resolved than ever before to see a free and open and accepting society emerge amid the best efforts of those who do not share our view of personal liberty and human dignity."
Former President Dan Byelle recalled the day of the attacks. Less than a year into his presidency, he was in Carova speaking at an education seminar when news of the attack broke.
"My heart sank and my mind tried to grasp the magnitude of what had happened," Byelle said. "My focus then shifted to protecting this country, making sure that the awful, cowardly acts of violence that were happening in the states would not happen here in Grassadellia."
"This was a tragedy that would come to define the United States of America forever, and one that would shake our security in this country and around the world," Byelle continued. "But, as we know, hope conquers fear. Love triumphs over hatred. Peace defeats bloodshed. Liberty overcomes oppression."
First Lady Carolla Menuhaeo led a children's choir and a candle lighting ceremony. Foreign Affairs Secretary Jim McCaren acknowledged the "ugliness of 9/11," but spoke of the resolve of the American people and the special friendship between Grassadellia and the US.
"I can say without uncertainty that the special relationship between our two great countries accounted for an expedition of the healing process and for an outpouring of support from Grassadellia to Americans and from Americans to Grassadellians," McCaren said. "Our two countries were brutally and ruthlessly attacked on that day, but we stood united and we stood determined to defeat the enemy that opposes freedom and exalts violence, and we continue to stand together."
Other speakers at the event included the American Ambassador to Grassadellia, Dave Oken, actor and peace activist Scott Kenard and former GNN newsman Fred Johnson, who holds dual US and Grassadellian citizenship. Singers Bali Durman and Lad Beckerstan sang, as well as a reading from poet Lucinda James Vernon. The band Angels of Dawn also performed.
Similar events were held in Grassadellia City, Lansdale, Treeton, Lanakis, Monvaille, and other cities across the nation.
Grassadellia's Ambassador to the US, James Alexander, was in New York for the memorial service at Ground Zero, where he unveiled a statue in honor of the Grassadellian victims.
A memorial to the Grassadellian victims opened back in 2007 in Mavocke, just south of where the memorial service was held. Mourners made a procession to the memorial, about three blocks away.
MAVOCKE--Grassadellians came together Sunday to mark the tenth anniversary of the US September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania.
About people 13,000 turned out at Mavocke's Capitol Square for a remembrance ceremony at the foot of the Fountain of Enduring Hope.
During his speech, which headlined the event, President Brenton Menuhaeo recalled "that day of horror in September 2001," and noted that 38 Grassadellians lost their lives in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
"The world watched in horror and disbelief at what was unfolding in New York, and we here at home in Grassadellia were just beginning to count the damaging toll our own country would face, as well as that which our American friends would face," Menuhaeo said.
"But the September 11 terrorist attacks did not leave us living in fear, but rather led us to live in victory. The attacks did not dampen our desire for freedom and liberty, but only strengthened it. The gruesome killings of thousands of innocent people shattered our innocence, but did not destroy our spirits. Today, we grieve the loss of those we loved and those from other countries we did not know. But we stand victorious, we stand stronger than we were. We stand more resolved than ever before to see a free and open and accepting society emerge amid the best efforts of those who do not share our view of personal liberty and human dignity."
Former President Dan Byelle recalled the day of the attacks. Less than a year into his presidency, he was in Carova speaking at an education seminar when news of the attack broke.
"My heart sank and my mind tried to grasp the magnitude of what had happened," Byelle said. "My focus then shifted to protecting this country, making sure that the awful, cowardly acts of violence that were happening in the states would not happen here in Grassadellia."
"This was a tragedy that would come to define the United States of America forever, and one that would shake our security in this country and around the world," Byelle continued. "But, as we know, hope conquers fear. Love triumphs over hatred. Peace defeats bloodshed. Liberty overcomes oppression."
First Lady Carolla Menuhaeo led a children's choir and a candle lighting ceremony. Foreign Affairs Secretary Jim McCaren acknowledged the "ugliness of 9/11," but spoke of the resolve of the American people and the special friendship between Grassadellia and the US.
"I can say without uncertainty that the special relationship between our two great countries accounted for an expedition of the healing process and for an outpouring of support from Grassadellia to Americans and from Americans to Grassadellians," McCaren said. "Our two countries were brutally and ruthlessly attacked on that day, but we stood united and we stood determined to defeat the enemy that opposes freedom and exalts violence, and we continue to stand together."
Other speakers at the event included the American Ambassador to Grassadellia, Dave Oken, actor and peace activist Scott Kenard and former GNN newsman Fred Johnson, who holds dual US and Grassadellian citizenship. Singers Bali Durman and Lad Beckerstan sang, as well as a reading from poet Lucinda James Vernon. The band Angels of Dawn also performed.
Similar events were held in Grassadellia City, Lansdale, Treeton, Lanakis, Monvaille, and other cities across the nation.
Grassadellia's Ambassador to the US, James Alexander, was in New York for the memorial service at Ground Zero, where he unveiled a statue in honor of the Grassadellian victims.
A memorial to the Grassadellian victims opened back in 2007 in Mavocke, just south of where the memorial service was held. Mourners made a procession to the memorial, about three blocks away.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment