September 11 is, of course, a hugely important day in New York. Each year the Consulate and the British Memorial Garden Trust hold a small ceremony at the British Garden in Hanover Square to remember the 67 British victims of the attacks on the USA of 11 September 2001.
This year, as in previous years, we were joined by members of the victims’ families. It’s a privilege to share this moment in the Garden with them. I am struck by how much it means to them to have a place in New York dedicated to their loved ones. That significance is all the greater after the Garden’s opening by HM The Queen in July.
The Garden exists because the City of New York allowed the space to be used to commemorate the loss of British lives. We were touched that NY City Parks Commissioner Bill Castro joined us on Saturday. He has always been a real friend to the Garden.
And, as in each of the past nine years, law enforcement agencies also helped mark the occasion. New Jersey State Troopers, Toronto police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police were represented. It was great to meet again the British policemen who have worked hard to maintain the links forged after the attacks.
Photos: Luke Locurcio
We continue to work on the Garden, to keep it a fitting memorial for those who died, a place of remembrance for their families, a park for New Yorkers seeking some respite from the hectic pace of Downtown and a symbol of the links between the UK and this great city. If you’d like to help us, please visit The British Garden website.