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.

害羞草研究所淥n Sept. 11, my department lost 23 members. Matt害羞草研究所檚 lost 343,害羞草研究所� New York Police Department Sgt. Kevin Lynch told the crowd, referring also to the enormous impact the attacks 害羞草研究所� which killed nearly 3,000 that day 害羞草研究所� had on the city害羞草研究所檚 fire department, which was represented Monday by Matthew Zimpfer.

害羞草研究所淭hink about those numbers for a minute, because a number害羞草研究所檚 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.

害羞草研究所淏ut they did what first responders always do, and that害羞草研究所檚 run to whoever needs help.害羞草研究所�

One after another, speakers stood, acknowledging the 害羞草研究所渉eartbreaking and devastating acts of violence害羞草研究所� 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害羞草研究所檚 Blaine area port Director Kenneth Williams posed, and answered, the question, 害羞草研究所渁re we truly safer?害羞草研究所�

害羞草研究所淚 can stand here with confidence and say yes,害羞草研究所� Williams said, citing improvements in security measures in the years since 9/11, and ones to come.

害羞草研究所淔or those who wish to do us harm, we are sending a clear message.害羞草研究所�

Vancouver Police Department Supt. Mike Porteous said that while the border may divide the U.S. and Canada, 害羞草研究所渨e are human beings and fellow first responders, brothers and sisters.害羞草研究所�

害羞草研究所淭ogether we stand in the face of tragedy, remembering our fallen heroes and carrying on in their names. We will remember,害羞草研究所� Porteous said.

South Surrey-White Rock MP Dianne Watts, representing Canada in the ceremony, echoed the call to 害羞草研究所渁lways remember害羞草研究所� those who died.

U.S. Consul General Katherine Dhanani said the day was to remember 害羞草研究所渢hose brave men and women who gave everything for strangers they never knew simply because it was in them to respond as heroes.害羞草研究所�

Lynch told the crowd that he doesn害羞草研究所檛 feel like a hero for his actions on Sept. 11, 2001.

害羞草研究所淚 feel like a person who did my job, and I think that害羞草研究所檚 what every first responder would mention when asked why they do it,害羞草研究所� he said.

害羞草研究所淚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害羞草研究所檚 brought out the best in the human spirit.害羞草研究所�