New US Ambassador to Guyana remembers 9/11 attack

Sep 12, 2011 News

Ten years ago, on this date, the world changed inexorably. It was the day one of the most horrific terrorist attacks on the United States ever took place.

US Ambassador to Guyana, Ambassador D. Brent Hardt

In a four pronged attack on the morning of September 11, 2001, 19 terrorists from the Islamist militant group al-Qaeda hijacked four passenger jets. The hijackers intentionally crashed two planes into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City causing both towers to collapse within two hours. Hijackers crashed a third plane into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. Following passenger attempts to take control of the fourth hijacked jet, United Airlines Flight 93 crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania before it could reach its intended target in Washington, D.C.
Nearly 3,000 people died in those attacks. In their wake, the painful memories resurface every year particularly on this date. One of the very first statements issued by the new American Ambassador to Guyana, Ambassador D. Brent Hardt was one on the September 11 attacks.
Released on Friday last, the Ambassador says, “on this 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001, we remember that 9/11 was not only an attack on the United States, but an attack on the world and on the humanity and hopes that we share.
We remember that among the nearly 3,000 innocent people lost that day were hundreds of citizens from more than 90 nations. They were men and women, young and old, of many races and faiths. On this solemn anniversary we join with their families and nations in honoring their memory.
We remember with gratitude how ten years ago the world came together as one. Around the globe, entire cities came to a standstill for moments of silence. People offered their prayers in churches, mosques, temples, synagogues and other places of worship. Those of us in the United States will never forget how people in every corner of the world stood with us in solidarity in candlelight vigils and among the seas of flowers placed at our embassies.

That fateful day

We remember that in the weeks after 9/11, we acted as an international community. As part of a broad coalition, we drove al Qaeda from its training camps in Afghanistan, toppled the Taliban, and gave the Afghan people a chance to live free from terror. However, the years that followed were difficult and the spirit of global partnership we felt after 9/11 frayed. We have worked to renew the global cooperation we need to meet the full breadth of global challenges that we face. Through a new era of engagement, we’ve forged partnerships with nations and peoples based on mutual interest and mutual respect. As an international community, we have shown that terrorists are no match for the strength and resilience of our citizens.
Our nation overcame the attacks and came away stronger – a sign of the resilience of the American people in the face of adversity. We see the same signs of resilience in the Guyanese people, as exemplified by institutions like the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Center, the Sisters of Mercy St. John Bosco home for boys in Plaisance, the Red Cross Convalescent Home for Children in Enterprise, and the Shaheed Boys and Girls Orphanage.
We have had the great opportunity to witness first-hand the hard work of dedicated Guyanese to provide education and opportunity for children in the community. We have also seen the resilience of these children and young adults, who strive to overcome challenges and to learn skills to help themselves and others. We are pleased to be able to volunteer our service in a way that promotes moving toward a brighter future with a sense of promise and optimism.
To nations and people seeking a future of peace and prosperity—you have a partner in the United States. For even as we confront economic challenges at home, the United States will continue to play a unique leadership role in the world. Around the world, we will continue the hard work of pursuing peace, promoting the development that lifts people from poverty, and advancing the food security, health and good governance that unleashes the potential of individual citizens and societies.
At the same time, we have recommitted ourselves to living our values at home. As a nation of immigrants, the United States welcomes people from every country and culture. These newest Americans—like all the innocent victims we lost ten years ago—remind us that despite any differences of race or ethnicity, background or belief, we are all bound together by the common hope that we can make the world a better place for this and future generations. That must be the legacy of those we have lost.
Those who attacked us on 9/11 wanted to drive a wedge between the United States and the world. They failed. On this 10th anniversary, we are united with our friends and partners in remembering all those we have lost in this struggle. In their memory, we reaffirm the spirit of partnership and mutual respect that we need to realize a world where all people live in dignity, freedom and peace.”

1 thoughts on “New US Ambassador to Guyana remembers 9/11 attack”

degaull September 12, 2011 at 8:28 pm

That was a sad day in the World, Sepember 11th 2001, al Qaeda was responsible for the deaths of nearly 3,000 and the War on Terror has lost and additional 6,000+ men.
The Guyana Drug Barons and their Government coohorts are a Serious Terrorist Threat, the country is Ripe for al Qaeda Funding, if not already and pose a Danger to Guyana’s stability and the rest of the World. It seems that the prior US Ambassadors made it very clear to the US State Department of the going on’s in Guyana, what is the US Government waiting for, for Guyana to become an al Qaeda run country.