NEW YORK, NY: People view the Tribute in Light from the Top of the Rock observation deck on September 10, 2011 in New York City. The Tribute in Light is an art installation honoring those who perished in the 9/11 attacks. AFP/Getty Images/Mario Tama
WELLINGTON, New Zealand – Commemorations marking the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks are under way in the Pacific as officials and families of the lost gathered in solidarity.
Players from the American Eagles rugby team joined hundreds of others Sunday morning at a memorial service in the town of New Plymouth, New Zealand. The team is in the country to play in the Rugby World Cup tournament. U.S. ambassador David Huebner also attended the service at St. Andrews church.
People across the world plan to commemorate the day, while world leaders are sending messages of mourning and hope.
NEW YORK, NY: Pictures of firefighters who died in the September 11 terror attacks are displayed inside St. Paul's Chapel across from the World Trade Center site on September 10, 2011 in New York City. New York City and the nation are preparing for the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on lower Manhattan which resulted in the deaths of 2,753 people in the attacks on the World Trade Center. AFP/ Getty Images/Justin Sullivan
In Australia, Sydney resident Rae Tompsett said she’s never felt angry over the murder of her son Stephen Tompsett, 39, a computer engineer who was on the 106th floor of the World Trade Center’s north tower when it was hit by a hijacked plane.
“No, not anger,” she said. “Sorrow. Sorrow that the people who did this believed they were doing something good.”
The retired school teacher and her husband Jack, 92, are planning to attend Sunday morning mass as usual at their local church before going to a commemorative service in the afternoon.
“It’s incredible that it is 10 years — it feels a bit like yesterday,” Tompsett said.
In the Philippines, President Benigno Aqiuno III praised the heroism shown by many on 9/11.
A woman writes a message on the wall of remembrance memorial near the World Trade Center on September 10, 2011 in New York. US President Barack Obama on Saturday called for a "heightened state of vigilance and preparedness" as the United States marks the 10th anniversary of 9/11 under a terror threat, the White House said. AFP PHOTO/DON EMMERT
“Most of all, this is a day for all nations and peoples to reaffirm their commitment to peace and stability built on mutual respect and dialogue between cultures and religions,” a statement said.
South Korea’s President Lee Myung-bak sent a letter to U.S. President Barack Obama, conveying his “deepest condolences” to the victims of the 9/11 tragedy, their bereaved families and the American public. Lee, whose country is one of the strongest allies of the United States, called the attacks “unpardonable” and praised decade-long U.S. efforts to fight terrorism.
Meanwhile, authorities in New York and Washington are beefing up security for their 9/11 memorial services after intelligence agents got a tip that three al-Qaida members could be planning to set off a car bomb in one of the cities. Officials have found no evidence any terrorists have sneaked into the country.