Remembering September 11

Remembering September 11

Tuesday,10 September 2002 MIN 472/02

MEDIA RELEASE

Remembering September 11

Defence Minister Robert Hill will attend a number of events in Adelaide to mark the first anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States.

Senator Hill will first attend an Ecumenical Prayer for Peace organised by the South Australian Heads of Christian Churches Committee at 8:30am at St Peters Cathedral.

Afterwards, he will lay an olive sprig at the Cross of Sacrifice across the road as a symbol of peace.

Senator Hill will then give the keynote address from 12:00pm at an American Chamber of Commerce memorial luncheon at the Hyatt Regency. The audience will comprise business and government leaders and representatives of the US community and emergency services.

"The first anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States will be a time of reflection," Senator Hill said.

"We will reflect on the horror of that day and on the sorrow that it brought to so many people around the world.

"But we should also take time to reflect on the great strengths that those cowardly attacks have revealed. The families of those who perished have shown great strength and resolve to move on with their lives while honoring the memories of their loved ones.

And there has been a determined show of strength from peace-loving nations against those who perpetrated the attacks, those who may choose to follow their example, and those who choose to harbor them."

Senator Hill said September 11 was a reminder too that Australia has an ongoing involvement in the war against terrorism. Australian Defence Force personnel are serving in Afghanistan, in the Persian Gulf and in Kyrgyzstan.

"I have witnessed first-hand the strength of their commitment and their outstanding levels of professionalism," Senator Hill said. "Our nation also appreciates the strength shown by their families during these long and tense absences."

ENDS

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