In Gander, Newfoundland, the US ambassador to Canada praised the small town that took in thousands of passengers from 38 diverted planes in the hours after the attack.
“When people in America hear the word Gander, our hearts soften,” Pete Hoekstra said.
“As a representative of the United States government, thank you for your friendship… to the nation of Canada, thank you for being a partner and for the shared sacrifices that you made with us.”
His remarks come amid fraught relations between the US and Canada, with the two countries engaged in a trade war. Ahead of the 9/11 commemorations, some Gander residents had called for Hoekstra’s invite to be rescinded.
Still, Hoekstra’s speech was met with applause. But in separate remarks afterwards, former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien said: “I have message for American friends… never mistake our generosity for weakness.” He received a standing ovation.
In Milan, a group of Italian and US firefighters participated in a ceremonial stair climb to honour the emergency responders who died in the line of duty.
Dressed in their uniforms and carrying equipment, they climbed 110 floors up and down the Galfa Tower, in remembrance of the number of storeys on each of the Twin Towers.
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