Had to drive past the Canadian Embassy in DC yesterday. There is a HUGE Banner that says, "Canada Remembers 9/11". Thank you, my friends.
Let us not forget that it was our friends in Canada that took in our planes and the passengers when airspace in the USA was closed. Thank You!
In 2001 Norwegian Cruise Lines opened a new Canada-New England cruise and had a great introductory price. My husband and I sailed from NYC on September 2. He was jumping around with excitement like a little kid as we sailed past various landmarks while I crocheted in a deck chair. I did snap a few pictures and one of them included the Twin Towers. Had I known that it was the last time I would see them I would have paid more attention.
We returned to port on September 9 and two days later they were gone.
We enjoyed the cruise so much that we went on another one the following year - slightly different but still Canada-New England. On September 11, 2002 I attended an early morning memorial service in the ship's theater, and then later we both attended a second memorial service held on deck which included the ship's officers. They threw a wreath into the pool, which was nicely symbolic but then they had to fish it out so passengers could swim.
On that day we were in a Canadian port - I think the town was Sydney, Nova Scotia but I can't swear to it. As my husband and I walked through the town nearly every shop had a memorial sign in the window. A woman approached us on the street and asked us if we were Americans from the ship. When we said yes, she said "I am so sorry about what happened." We thanked her and I was touched by her thoughtfulness. I believe a few other townspeople expressed similar sentiments during our visit. When we returned to the ship there was a ceremony of some sort taking place on the dock: a bunch of chairs, men and women in uniform (though we weren't sure what kind of uniform), a wreath, a podium. I think there was also a bell. We watched it from the deck but were too far up to hear anything. We learned from another passenger that the local fire department was holding a memorial service for the Canadians who were killed that day. Each firefighter present represented one of the victims. Even though we couldn't hear the speeches, it was a nice ceremony and I consider myself privileged to have witnessed it.
So, let me jump on the bandwagon with the rest of you and thank a small town of Canadians for adding some unexpected warmth to that first anniversary.
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