10-Year Anniversary of 9/11 Down Under

Because there were also Australians killed in the Twin Towers, 9/11 is also an important date down here.  In fact then-Prime Minister John Howard was in the U.S. and he immediately invoked the Australia-New Zealand-US Treaty (an attack upon one is an attack upon all) and is the reason both Australia and New Zealand are in Afghanistan with us (thus far Australia has suffered 29 Diggers (soldiers) Killed In Action, while New Zealand has lost one soldier). 

The U.S. Embassy conducted a very moving ceremony at Reconciliation Plaza on the waterfront of Lake Burley Griffin at 5 PM on 9/11.  It was a public service and very well-attended.

Ambassador and Mrs. Bleich greeting VIPs:

 

Security on the lake.

 

On the left current Chief of Defence Force General David Hurley speaking with just-retired Chief of Defence Force Air Chief Marshal "Angus" Houston.

Former Prime Minister and current Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd arrives.

As you can see, it was a little cold and rainy (it's Winter here)...

 

We had two bands, one of them a police bagpipe band.

 

 Debbie worked this event - that's Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Ambassador Bleich on the dais in the background.

 

Ambassador Bleich gave a very moving speech about his college roommate, who barely escaped the Towers before they collapsed.

Ambassador Jeffrey Bleich 9/11 10-year Anniversary Speech from Charles Ikins on Vimeo.

PM Gillard followed.

Untitled from Charles Ikins on Vimeo.

The ceremony concluded with the lighting of candles in memory of those lost on and since 9/11.  The gentlemen at lower right in the green jacket is just-retired Chief of Defence Force Air Chief Marshal "Angus" Houston.

The Australians I talked to thought the ceremony hit just the right note.  It was a good way to spend a late Sunday afternoon remembering how the last ten years have affected us.