On September 11, as part of the Speakers Bureau program, three Embassy officers attended Polish initiated events commemorating the 5th anniversary of 9/11 and honoring victims of terrorism everywhere in Poland. Vice-Consul Melissa Jarrett gave two presentations during a 9/11 commemorative event and engaged several hundred students at a middle school and high school in Zielonka. During her presentation, Jarrett spoke about her own recollections of 9/11, reconstruction plans for Ground Zero, and steps the U.S. has taken to improve border security while continuing to welcome visitors. Jarrett also mentioned the memorials which will honor the victims of the 9/11 attacks on WTC and the Pentagon and viewed raw footage by TVN journalist Wojciech Saramonowicz of the attacks on the World Trade Center.
Regional Security Officer Dale McElhattan spoke in Olsztyn at an event dedicating a monument to firefighters who died in action. In his speech, McElhattan reflected on the sacrifice of men and women who possessed the courage to save lives at the risk of their own. Together with the President of Olsztyn, member of the Sejm, Archbishop Piszcz in front of about 300 other attendees, McElhattan placed a candle at the foot of the monument.
The third event was attended by Political Officer David Morris who spoke at a 9/11 monument unveiling in Kielce during which he read a letter from President Bush.
These three 9/11 commemoration events were developed by small cities in Poland. This seems to demonstrate that Poles generally share our sorrow about the 9/11 attacks and wide-spread concern about the spread of terrorism. Embassy participation showed to the Poles that we appreciate and value their gestures of solidarity and friendship.
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