Through Michel Seimando
Published on 12 Sep 20 at 11:44
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As part of the 19th commemorations of September 11, 2001, the association Fire Department of New-York / Sapeurs-Pompiers des Yvelines (FDNY-SP78), in partnership with the Yvelines Departmental Fire and Rescue Service (SDIS 78), on Friday September 11, organized a ceremony in memory of the victims of the attacks.
This ceremony – a first – was held in front of the Pershing-Lafayette monument in Versailles (Yvelines) which symbolizes the unwavering link between the United States and France.
In order to honor the memory of the American victims, Mark Toner, Minister Counselor for Public Affairs of the United States Embassy in France and Monaco was present; he represented the Ambassador, Jamie McCourt.
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The ceremony was musically enlivened by members of the Normandy Highland Pipes Band, who played the “Amazing Grace” bagpipes. Two wreaths of flowers were placed during the ceremony in tribute to the victims.
At 2:46 p.m. French time
At 2:46 p.m. sharp, 8:46 a.m. in New York, a minute of silence was observed. 8:46 a.m., on September 11, 2001, the first plane had struck the World Trade Center tower!
[#11/09] Honor for the @ firefighters78 ???? to participate in the tribute paid to the victims of the terrorist attacks #11septembre2001 Ceremony organized by #fdny_sp78 at @Versailles in the presence of the authorities of #Sdis78 and of @Prefet78 ???????? but also the Minister @toner_mark from the embassy ???????? pic.twitter.com/2XZEQRQQUX
– firefighters78 (@ firefighters78) September 11, 2020
“My heart is in New York”
Sébastien Frémont, vice-president of the FDNY-SP78 Association thanked the participants for being present for this very special ceremony which has never been done in France. “It is very important to me to be here today so that we can collect our thoughts,” he said.
In this particular context, members of the association were unable to travel to New York for the annual ceremonies, a first since 2002.
Usually at this time of day, we are at Ground Zero in New York, today I am here, but my heart is in New York, ”explained Sébastien Frémont.
Mr Toner, who was participating for the first time in this ceremony in Versailles, thanked the participants present.
343 FDNY firefighters perished during the collapse of the World Trade Center twin towers, to which are added 226 additional firefighters who died, even today, as a result of diseases contracted during weeks and months of clearing the ruins of the Ground Zero site.
Clara De Frutos
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