As
our special tribute to the terrible events that happened in America on
11th September 2001 we provide this page showing Britain's support and
indeed the support of our own Electric Scotland community.
Not only was this a terrible event for
Americans but also for the world. It is said that more British were
killed in this event than in any other terrorist event in our history.
Many people of some 61 nations have died as a result and the world has come
together to support our American cousins in their time of need.
14th September 2001
British Parliament
meets to give full support to America
Special 3 minute
silence at 11am
3 minute silence in
Edinburgh
3 minute silence at
Parliament
3 minute silence in Brussels
3 minute silence at the US
Embassy in London
3 minute silence at the US
Air Force base in England
3 minute silence in Belfast
3 minute silence in Cardiff
3 minute silence in our
Schools
3 minute silence at the US
Air Force base in England with Piper playing Amazing Grace
Service at St Paul's
Cathedral
The Queen with US Ambassador
to the UK
Crowd scene outside St. Paul's, estimated 30,000 people
The Star Spangled Banner
First time the American National Anthem has been played in St Paul's
(The American National Anthem was also played at the changing of the Guard
at
Buckingham Palace. The first time this has ever happened in our history.)
18 year old American Student
lights a candle of remembrance
The Archbishop of Canterbury
A Service of Remembrance with the American Community in the United Kingdom
We have gathered today, not only inside this
great Cathedral but outside as well, to share in America's grief and to
mourn the loss of so many lives.
Like millions of others I watched in horror, as the towers of the World
Trade Centre disappeared under a cloud of dust and smoke. A modern icon of
America had been reduced to rubble. A senseless evil had been perpetrated
against America and against the free world.
In the aftermath of such shocking events,
various emotions arise within us. We may feel despair at man's inhumanity
to man. We may feel helpless that we can do so little for those who have
suffered so much, among them hundreds of British people; they and their
families are very much in our thoughts and prayers at this time. We may
feel anger against those who planned and carried out such evil, despicable
deeds. We may want to see revenge. We may just feel numb.
But my first word today - echoed I know by every faith leader present and
by us all - is a simple message to the people of America through the
American ambassador: a message of love and solidarity; a message also of
hope. What you have gone through in these last few days is beyond our
imagination. As we gather with Her Majesty the Queen, Government and other
political leaders, our hearts go out to you; you are all firmly in our
prayers. We hope you know that we are with you in your hour of need.
And next let me affirm that true faith is
never overcome by disasters of this kind. There is something unconquerable
about the faith we share. With St Paul we trust that 'neither death, nor
life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers...nor any other creature
shall be able to separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ our
Lord.'
And even in the darkest hour, such faith in
God gives birth to hope. So into the trauma of the people of America let
us declare the hopeful words of the prophet Isaiah, first spoken at a time
of disaster and despair in the life of his own people:
They shall build up the ancient ruins,
They shall raise up the former devastations,
They shall repair the ruined cities...
I am hopeful for the people of America:
hopeful that as ruins are rebuilt, so also a shaken people will be
restored.
For, as the twin towers of the World Trade Centre disappeared amid the
smoke and carnage, across a short stretch of water another, older,
American icon was not submerged. The September morning sun continued to
shine on the Statue of Liberty, her torch raised like a beacon; a beacon
of hope, and to millions around the world, a symbol of all that is best
about America.
Liberty has always been at the heart of the
American vision. That liberty must be defended. It is the awesome
responsibility of the leaders of America to decide how to respond to this
evil inflicted upon their people, this assault on their freedom and
security. The leaders of America need our prayers. May God give them
wisdom to use their great power in such ways that further evil aggression
is indeed deterred, and the security and well-being of all is advanced in
our interdependent world.
For the flower of democracy to flourish it
must grow in the soil of justice. Yes, those responsible for such barbaric
acts must be held to account. But we must be guided by higher goals than
mere revenge. As we battle with evil, our goal must be a world where such
violence is a thing of the past.
The ideal of liberty at the core of America's greatness - the liberty
symbolised by that statue emerging unscathed from the pall of devastation
- was founded on a noble community of values in which we are proud to
share. Values like tolerance and compassion, justice and mercy. Values at
the heart of the Christian faith and also of other faiths.
Let us keep them before us now - like a
torch, like a beacon - even as we mourn and grieve. For if we are
steadfast we know that, by the grace of God, no darkness, no evil can ever
extinguish that beacon of hope.
The Queen and US Ambassador
meet Americans outside St Pauls
Pictures on this page were
captured from the BBC transmissions
My thanks to all my kinsman offering prayer and condolences to the
Americans.
Like Doug, I too remember the JFK Day, such a sad week in American
History.
This intolerable act of injustice and murder could have come from
anywhere. I do hope our leaders do not rush to judgement on our foreign
friends or enemies, if they are, to lay unjust blame. There are groups of
Militia in America who would not hesitate to do this malicious act against
their own kinsman to attempt to "get even with the
establishment."
Thousands of persons are dead and injured, for what purpose? Millions of
dollars lost in infrastructure. Police officers and Firefighters dead and
injured..how sad. What greed and hate would perpetrate such a travesty ?
My personal thanks to our Canadian kinspeople for being there, arms open,
to assist their neighbor to the south.
Thanks everyone, I live
near the Hudson River across from New York and was watching TV & saw
the planes hit the World Trade Center.
It's been a rough a day so many people killed.
I too remember the day JFK was shot.
Thanks Alastair & our Canadian friends & all for thinking of us
American's today.
Whilst we might be a long
way down here in OZ,from the tragedy that has been perpetrated on the
people in the US,rest assured you are in the thoughts of,i hope, all
Australians.The reaction i felt from the people i work and deal with
during my working day is utter disbelief and sympathy.
I`m sure i can say the people of Australia will support whatever decision
is made to deal with this terrible act of terrorism, and bring to justice
whoever is responsible.
Euan..
as we are in florida...united
states...we were both saddened and terrified that this has actually
happened so close and yet so tragically here...we live between three
military bases...so we are locked down tight here...we are keeping our son
close as most americans are this week...for the comfort of knowing he is
at least with us...we no longer feel safe anywhere...america used to feel
like the safest place in the world...we now know that is not true....the
whole of the country is in terror of when this will happen again and
where...we wait in held breathe to hear of where we have been hit
next...it is in true terror that i write this with the news in the
background...we are thankful for all the heartfelt condolences of everyone
on es...and ask that you keep us in your prayers....and pray for our
safety...as we do each night...it has been a terrible night and a great
loss to us...we keep seeing the planes hit the towers and the dead
count...we need your compassion now....the macfalls
We received many
emails of thanks for our tribute and are glad we were able to help in
some way. Among the many emails we received we also got a few very emotive
pictures which we were asked if we could include and are happy to do so.
This page is now a permanent part of our site as a memorial to this
terrible day in our history.