The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince commemorated the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, on the morning of Monday, September 12, 2011. Several personalities shared their experience and emphasis was placed on the importance of working in community and engagement of citizens with a new perspective to the future.

A moment of silence was observed in memory of victims of these terrorist attacks on New York and Washington on September 11, 2001.

In his speech for the occasion, Ambassador Kenneth Merten said that the victims were not only Americans, but were part of more than 90 nations including Haiti. He continued saying that beyond the memory of the victims, "we also pay tribute to our communities that have demonstrated that they are above all fear. We honor those who rose every morning and continued to pursue their ambitions for themselves and their children, and thereby, reached higher levels of education, created new economic opportunities and improve their governance."

Mr. Leslie Honoré, a detective from the New York Police Department (NYPD), currently working in Haiti in the formation of the National Police of Haiti, went to the scene of the attack to help the victims spoke of how they became a family. He added : "I was deeply touched by how the New Yorkers have united and the whole of America helped the others for days, months and years after September 11. We will never forget those who lost their lives on September 11 because they will forever be our heroes."

A workshop was held following the ceremony. Participants in this session including officers of the NYPD, the USCIS, of the Consulate, former scholars of the American government and the Youth Ambassadors have discussed of the role and the importance of community service. The workshop also revealed the positive stories of people who have overcome adversity, and the participants provided an update on how the communities around the world have faced the events through their strength and their resilience.

Many ceremonies are held around the globe in memory of all those, including Haitians who perished in the terrorist attacks.

For his part, Michel Martelly, the President of the Republic of Haiti, made this statement Sunday "The people of Haiti are no strangers to tragedy, and for this reason, we feel a special connection with the American people on this historic day .The people of Haiti will never forget this day, as we feel solidarity with the American People, just as the American people did when we were stuck with our own tragic event. We remember those lost in the terrible and unjust attacks of September 11 in New York, Washington, DC and a remote field in Pennsylvania. On that day, the people of Haiti were also attacked, as we lost many Haitian nationals who called New York their home. This was, indeed, an attack on the world, not only the United States.

We understand that the best way to overcome these tragic events is to be resilient and strong and move forward, rebuilding our lives, families, and our cities. That is exactly what the people of the United States have done over the past 10 years, and what the people of Haiti are in the process of doing, less than two years after our own tragedy.

On the 10-year anniversary of the September 11 attacks, your response to that fateful day also serves as an inspiration for our own people, showing that we can overcome our grief, and rebuild our lives.

On this special date, allow me, on behalf of the people of Haiti, to express our deepest condolences and prayers to all the American people. Haitian hearts are with you.

Michel J. Martelly, President"

HL/ HaitiLibre