Prime Minister, Ambassador Cellucci, Minister Byrne, Your Worship, Your Honours, Minister Kelly, Mayor Elliott, ladies and gentleman, good morning.

I would like to welcome each and every one of you to today�s ceremony here in Gander, as well as send greetings to those attending similar ceremonies elsewhere, particularly in New York, with our southern neighbours in the United States of America.

It is a great pleasure to have the Prime Minister at today�s ceremony. As well, I extend a warm welcome to our good friend Ambassador Cellucci, who has returned following a similar event last fall in our capital city of St. John�s. And I am particularly honoured on behalf of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador to greet the people who have returned to Gander to commemorate their time here just one short year ago.

Of course, on behalf of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, I extend warmest greetings to the volunteers and citizens who gave their time and energy to complete strangers in their time of need. I know that those unexpected visitors appreciated and will never forget your efforts on their behalf.

Today we gather solemnly to remember again the many innocent lives lost one year ago. We still feel the loss experienced by our friends in the United States and share the pain felt around the world as we witnessed attacks on our southern neighbours. The attacks affected many nations including our own, and we too needlessly lost sons and daughters that day.

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians send our sympathies as many people grieve on this dark anniversary.

While we take a moment to silently reflect on the lives lost, and the potential that was lost with them last year, we also take a moment to remember the manner in which countless numbers of people responded with compassion, valour and strength of spirit.

The people in New York, in Washington, and on the plane that went down in Pennsylvania all demonstrated courage in the face of danger. People all over Canada demonstrated humanity in the face of anger and loss. Today�s ceremony is our way of commemorating the people, here in the Gander area, in other parts of our province and other parts of Canada, for their humanitarian efforts in the days following the terrorist attacks.

Strength of spirit is something that is not always easy to find in times of difficulty, especially as we gather here to remember those who have been lost. But it is at this time, when we need it the most, that we have friends and family standing by us providing that strength.

It is my pleasure today to be here to speak on behalf of a province filled with people who are strong in spirit and full of compassion and humanity. I know that there are many people - unexpected guests - who can tell stories of the care offered freely by Newfoundlanders and Labradorians in the aftermath of last September 11^th.

They can speak about the sense of community as well as the individual acts of kindness.

They tell their friends and family about meals served in a school gymnasium. They tell them about local residents taking them on tours of the area. And they tell them about whole communities who stopped what they were doing to help out.

But most importantly, the unexpected guests tell friends and family about coming into a stranger�s home, and then, a few days later, leaving a friend�s home here in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The people of this province have been commended, as the mayor said, in small, personal circles by the people who experienced the hospitality and the help. And the people of Newfoundland and Labrador have been recognized by media here in Canada and the United States for their compassion and caring.

We appreciate the thanks, but we did it in Newfoundland and Labrador because that�s what people do in difficult circumstances. They help those that need a shoulder to cry on, a place to sleep and a good meal.

Newfoundland and Labrador, because of its geography and history, shares a strong sense of community with the world. We have faced difficulties affecting Europe, and those facing and affecting North America. And we have stood with our neighbours every time when they have needed us.

On behalf of those people who came out to help and offer themselves one year ago today, we send our sincere regrets and sympathies to those whose friends and family members are no longer with us. Please know that we share in your mourning.

I thank all of you for coming here today to share in this commemorative ceremony.

Thank you

2002 09 11                                    11:30 a.m.