World News

America Under Attack: The World Mourns

Written by Joshua Smith - 15th September, 2001

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In the days following the attacks that were apparently intended to unravel the seams of our democratic lifestyle, an inspiring regrouping has occurred, with members of several different nations and varying faiths coming together to mourn, and to celebrate the small stories of heroism and sacrifice that have emerged from the rubble.

Amongst the more formal of gatherings, Buckingham Palace was home to an unprecedented changing of the guard ceremony in which the American national anthem was played in honor of those who perished earlier that week. The UK was also home to a touching, and chilling, nation-wide 3-minute silence that commenced when Big Ben struck 11am today. This was immediately followed by a service of remembrance led by Queen Elizabeth II and attended by Prime Minister Tony Blair.

In the Vatican, the Pope prayed for the victims and once again reflected his hope that this will not see civilisation dragged into a spiral of violence and retribution.

America honored the fallen civilians in a formal memorial service today (Friday the 14th in US time), which was attended by several of America's former presidents, as well as George W Bush. Mr Bush delivered an inspirational speed at the event, that highlighted both his determination to see justice brought to the enemies of freedom, while simultaneously celebrating the heights of humanity that were witnessed during the dark hours. Part of his address was as follows:

On Tuesday, our country was attacked with deliberate and massive cruelty. We have seen the images of fire and ashes, and bent steel.

Now come the names, the list of casualties we are only beginning to read. They are the names of men and women who began their day at a desk or in an airport, busy with life. They are the names of people who faced death, and in their last moments called home to say, be brave, and I love you.

They are the names of passengers who defied their murderers, and prevented the murder of others on the ground. They are the names of men and women who wore the uniform of the United States, and died at their posts.

They are the names of rescuers, the ones whom death found running up the stairs and into the fires to help others. We will read all these names. We will linger over them, and learn their stories, and many Americans will weep.

To the children and parents and spouses and families and friends of the lost, we offer the deepest sympathy of the nation. And I assure you, you are not alone.

Vigils and sessions of mourning were held elsewhere also, including regions of the Middle East, where many are denouncing the acts of an extremist few.

On our side of the world, the Honorable John Howard has invited Australians to treat this Sunday the 16th as a National Day of Mourning. In a press conference taking in aspects of both the US disaster and the Ansett collapse, Prime Minister Howard suggested the following:

...And we'd hope that flags will be flown at half mast and no doubt special reference and observance will be kept in churches of ….and other faiths throughout the country. I also intend that a National Memorial Service be held in the Great Hall next Monday. I will invite the Leader of the Opposition to join myself in reading one of the two lessons and there will be appropriate contributions from other people. It will be a religious service and give an adequate opportunity for observance of the great loss of lives of Americans and Australians and the impact that this has had on both our communities, particularly the United States.