Canadians and Americans gather at South Surrey border to mark 9/11 anniversary

Hundreds of Canadian and American dignitaries, first responders, military members and border personnel gathered Friday at the Peace Arch border crossing in South Surrey for a Northwest 9/11 memorial ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the 2001 attacks. The annual event, held since 2001, remembers the nearly 3,000 people killed and honours those who responded.

Retired New York Police Department lieutenant Kevin Lynch recalled hearing on his police radio that a plane had struck the World Trade Center while he was on bicycle patrol in downtown Brooklyn. He watched the second plane hit from a promenade overlooking the financial district, then contacted his wife to tell her not to bring their infant son into the city. Lynch later helped evacuate thousands of people from a bridge connecting lower Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Lynch said it is especially important to remember the people who ran toward danger and to share those memories with a generation that has no personal recollection of Sept. 11. He was among four New York City first responders honoured at the ceremony, alongside retired NYPD Sgt. Marna Rann, retired Fire Department of New York paramedic Roberto Abril and former FDNY firefighter Cody Stamberger. Abril remembered his colleague and friend Carlos Lillo, who died at Ground Zero.

Guy Morall organized the event in conjunction with the 9/11 Memorial Ride procession to the Peace Arch, while Howard Blank coordinated and introduced speakers. Attendees included Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke, Delta Mayor George Harvie, Blaine Mayor Mary Lou Steward, B.C. Lt.-Gov. Wendy Cocchia and U.S. Consul General Shawn Crowley. Semiahmoo First Nation Chief Harley Chappell and councillors Jennine Cook and Joanne Charles welcomed participants to the Semiahmoo people’s traditional territory, which includes land on both sides of the border.

The ceremony included Canadian and U.S. flags suspended between raised firetruck ladders, a U.S. Homeland Security helicopter flypast, anthems sung by the Van City Chorus and music from the Surrey Police Service Pipe Band. Speakers emphasized the lasting ties between Canadian and U.S. first responders and recalled Canadian help at Ground Zero and for Americans stranded after U.S. airspace closed. Harvie said that, 25 years later, Canadians and Americans were still standing shoulder to shoulder.