Commemorating the 10th anniversary of 9/11: Ambassador Susman's Remarks at September 11th Memorial Garden

11 September 2011

Britain's Prince Charles (R) and Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla arrive to greet, PM Cameron (5L) and Ambassador Susman (4L) Deputy PM Clegg (3L) Mayor of London Johnson (2L) and leader of the opposition Labour party Miliband (L). (REUTERS/Luke MacGregor)

Britain's Prince Charles (C), Prime Minister David Cameron (L) and U.S. Ambassador Susman (R) attend the tenth anniversary ceremony to commemorate the terrorist attacks of 2001. (REUTERS/Luke MacGregor)

Ambassador Susman: Your Royal Highnesses; Lord Lieutenant; Prime Minister; Deputy Prime Minister; Mr. Mayor; Lord Mayor; members of the September 11 UK Families Support Group; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

It is my honor as the United States Ambassador to the Court of St. James's to welcome you to Grosvenor Square - this small outpost of America right here in the heart of London.

A monument to the vital, enduring partnership between our two nations.

That unique relationship was never more evident than in the days and weeks after September 11th 2001.

It was to this Square that thousands of Britons – shocked and bewildered, but also defiant - came to show their solidarity, to pay their respects, and to sign a book of condolence.

Looking back through the pages of that book recently, I was taken by one message in particular – signed by John and Ann Hodgkin from Derby [DARBY].  It said, ‘There is no death while memories live – and their memories will live forever.’

Today we gather again in Grosvenor Square, to remember once more those 67 men and women from the United Kingdom who perished on September 11th.

To their loved ones, let me say that I am both honored and humbled to stand here in front of your memorial.

A fitting, dignified memorial that allows those of us who pass every day a chance for contemplation and reflection.

It is a place of tranquility.  A place of beauty.  A place far removed from the chaos and devastation we witnessed a decade ago.

We all recall where we were on that dreadful September day.  The world – they said – would never be the same.

In one sense, that is true.  For those here remembering someone close – torn from you in the most brutal way, deprived of some of life’s most treasured moments – 9/11 has, of course, touched your lives immeasurably.

Yet our societies are still strong.  Our political institutions and justice systems still function.  Our businesses still trade.  Our citizens enjoy free speech and the right to practice the faith of their choice.  Our commitment to universal rights and human dignity is undiminished.

Far from being paralyzed with fear, we still focus daily on the ambitions and aspirations we hold for our families and ourselves.

The ultimate aim of the 9/11 attacks – to destroy our way of life - failed.  It failed utterly.  And such attacks on our values, wherever they take place, will always fail.

We admire those of you here today who have reconstructed your lives from the ruins of grief.  We draw strength and inspiration from your example.

Most importantly today, we remember your mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, daughters and sons, partners and good friends.  Just as we remember all of the victims who were so tragically lost on 9/11.

We will never forget.

I ask you now to join me in one minute’s silence dedicated to their memory.