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.

91裸聊视频淥n Sept. 11, my department lost 23 members. Matt91裸聊视频檚 lost 343,91裸聊视频� New York Police Department Sgt. Kevin Lynch told the crowd, referring also to the enormous impact the attacks 91裸聊视频� which killed nearly 3,000 that day 91裸聊视频� had on the city91裸聊视频檚 fire department, which was represented Monday by Matthew Zimpfer.

91裸聊视频淭hink about those numbers for a minute, because a number91裸聊视频檚 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.

91裸聊视频淏ut they did what first responders always do, and that91裸聊视频檚 run to whoever needs help.91裸聊视频�

One after another, speakers stood, acknowledging the 91裸聊视频渉eartbreaking and devastating acts of violence91裸聊视频� 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 Protection91裸聊视频檚 Blaine area port Director Kenneth Williams posed, and answered, the question, 91裸聊视频渁re we truly safer?91裸聊视频�

91裸聊视频淚 can stand here with confidence and say yes,91裸聊视频� Williams said, citing improvements in security measures in the years since 9/11, and ones to come.

91裸聊视频淔or those who wish to do us harm, we are sending a clear message.91裸聊视频�

Vancouver Police Department Supt. Mike Porteous said that while the border may divide the U.S. and Canada, 91裸聊视频渨e are human beings and fellow first responders, brothers and sisters.91裸聊视频�

91裸聊视频淭ogether we stand in the face of tragedy, remembering our fallen heroes and carrying on in their names. We will remember,91裸聊视频� Porteous said.

South Surrey-White Rock MP Dianne Watts, representing Canada in the ceremony, echoed the call to 91裸聊视频渁lways remember91裸聊视频� those who died.

U.S. Consul General Katherine Dhanani said the day was to remember 91裸聊视频渢hose brave men and women who gave everything for strangers they never knew simply because it was in them to respond as heroes.91裸聊视频�

Lynch told the crowd that he doesn91裸聊视频檛 feel like a hero for his actions on Sept. 11, 2001.

91裸聊视频淚 feel like a person who did my job, and I think that91裸聊视频檚 what every first responder would mention when asked why they do it,91裸聊视频� he said.

91裸聊视频淚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, it91裸聊视频檚 brought out the best in the human spirit.91裸聊视频�