First responders from both sides of the border at Peace Arch Park to honour those who gave their lives to help others during the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and those who, 16 years later, continue to serve and protect, both in their own backyard, and around the world.

Police, firefighters, paramedics, politicians and civilians converged on the international border between South Surrey, B.C. and Blaine, Wash., to remember a tragedy that both devastated and strengthened.

香蕉视频直播淥n Sept. 11, my department lost 23 members. Matt香蕉视频直播檚 lost 343,香蕉视频直播� New York Police Department Sgt. Kevin Lynch told the crowd, referring also to the enormous impact the attacks 香蕉视频直播� which killed nearly 3,000 that day 香蕉视频直播� had on the city香蕉视频直播檚 fire department, which was represented Monday by Matthew Zimpfer.

香蕉视频直播淭hink about those numbers for a minute, because a number香蕉视频直播檚 just a number until you think about the fact that each one of those people had a family that they cared about, had people they loved and people who loved them.

香蕉视频直播淏ut they did what first responders always do, and that香蕉视频直播檚 run to whoever needs help.香蕉视频直播�

One after another, speakers stood, acknowledging the 香蕉视频直播渉eartbreaking and devastating acts of violence香蕉视频直播� of that day, but returning always to give thanks and acknowledge the partnerships and resolve that strengthened in the wake of the tragedy.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection香蕉视频直播檚 Blaine area port Director Kenneth Williams posed, and answered, the question, 香蕉视频直播渁re we truly safer?香蕉视频直播�

香蕉视频直播淚 can stand here with confidence and say yes,香蕉视频直播� Williams said, citing improvements in security measures in the years since 9/11, and ones to come.

香蕉视频直播淔or those who wish to do us harm, we are sending a clear message.香蕉视频直播�

Vancouver Police Department Supt. Mike Porteous said that while the border may divide the U.S. and Canada, 香蕉视频直播渨e are human beings and fellow first responders, brothers and sisters.香蕉视频直播�

香蕉视频直播淭ogether we stand in the face of tragedy, remembering our fallen heroes and carrying on in their names. We will remember,香蕉视频直播� Porteous said.

South Surrey-White Rock MP Dianne Watts, representing Canada in the ceremony, echoed the call to 香蕉视频直播渁lways remember香蕉视频直播� those who died.

U.S. Consul General Katherine Dhanani said the day was to remember 香蕉视频直播渢hose brave men and women who gave everything for strangers they never knew simply because it was in them to respond as heroes.香蕉视频直播�

Lynch told the crowd that he doesn香蕉视频直播檛 feel like a hero for his actions on Sept. 11, 2001.

香蕉视频直播淚 feel like a person who did my job, and I think that香蕉视频直播檚 what every first responder would mention when asked why they do it,香蕉视频直播� he said.

香蕉视频直播淚t was a horrible day for us, as a city, as a nation and as a world, but in the days, and the weeks, months and the years that have followed, it香蕉视频直播檚 brought out the best in the human spirit.香蕉视频直播�