Best Regards, Ivan
LET US GO FORWARD TOGETHER
Posted on 09/13/2001 11:54:36 AM PDT by MadIvan
A special Changing of the Guard ceremony has taken place at Buckingham Palace to honour those killed in the terrorist outrage in America.
In an unprecedented move, the military band played the American national anthem first. When they finished a large and emotional crowd burst into applause.
The Duke of York, representing the Queen, and US Ambassador William Farish stood solemnly side-by-side as others in a crowd of well-wishers - eight deep at the Palace railings - waved flags, clapped and cheered.
The two men stared grim-faced ahead as the anthem gave way to a two-minute silence.
Then the band from the outgoing Number 7 Company, Coldstream Guards, played a selection of sombre US music.
It included Hymn for the Fallen, written by US composer John Williams and used in the final credits of the film, Saving Private Ryan.
The Queen could not make it as she was in Balmoral, Scotland, but she will be attending a special ceremony at St Paul's Cathedral in London on Friday.
Another Royal, the Prince of Wales, was the first person to sign a book of condolence at the US Embassy in London.
He wrote his name in the volume in a gesture of sympathy and solidarity with the thousands of victims of the atrocities in New York and Washington.
He called at the embassy, in Grosvenor Square, central London, on the way back from a visit to Somerset.
After signing the book, the Prince spent about seven minutes talking to staff, many of whom know people affected by the tragedy.
A US embassy spokesman said: "It was a very simple, solemn occasion. He was joined by Ambassador William Farish and his wife. There was a signing ceremony and a formal handshake."
Meanwhile both British and American mourners gathered around an impromptu memorial near the embassy in Grosvenor Square.
An American flag was draped around a tree while scores of bouquets were laid around it. There were many messages of condolence written along with the flowers.
Many mourners were unable to control their grief as they remembered the victims of the devastating terrorist attack.
Andrew McGee, 32, from London said: "The attack was a tragedy. I love Americans and when I saw the pictures I just could not believe it. "I despise the people who did this and I am still in shock really".
Lloyd's remembers
Lloyd's of London, the insurance market, rang its Lutine bell and held a minute silence as a mark of respect to those killed in the US terrorist strike.
The bell, which was salvaged from British Frigate HMS Lutine in the 19th century, was traditionally rung to signal news of a missing ship.
It has been rung to mark other tragedies such as the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.
There was a minute-long silence which will end with the bell being rung a second time. A spokesman for Lloyd's said they were ringing the bell as a mark of respect to the victims in the US.
He said that as a market Lloyd's had several broker offices in the World Trade Centre.
Residents of Lockerbie, the Scottish town which was devastated when a jumbo jet exploded over it more than a decade ago, spoke of their horror at the US terror attacks.
Many townspeople forged close links with the scores of American families whose relatives were killed when Pan Am flight 103 was blown out of the sky in December 1988.
Phil Jones, the chief executive of Dumfries and Galloway Council, said flags would be flown at half mast on all local authority buildings in the area this week as a mark of respect for the American people.
"The people of Lockerbie are appalled by these acts of terrorism in America.
"The scale is unimaginable but the individual trauma of the relatives of the victims is known and fills local people with deep sadness.
"We received comfort and support from America following the Lockerbie air disaster in December 1988 and we want to let them know that they are in our thoughts now and in the difficult times ahead."
And in an area that is used to terrorism, Ireland is to hold a national day of mourning on Friday.
We're going to need your help.
It was a moving ceremony. Mrs. Militiaman and I watched it on the BBC from Denmark.
We have received many kind words from Europeans and every flag overhere is at half staff.
I was deeply moved by the Prime Minister's remarks on Tuesday; I recalled Winston Churchill's address to the U.S. Congress in December, 1941: "What kind of a people do they think we are? Do they not know that we shall never cease...until they, and the world, have been taught a lesson that they shall never forget?"
God Bless You, and God Save the Queen!
And may he look after our cousins 'cross the pond.
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