City Mayor says we must ensure that the events of 9/11 are never forgotten
Statement from Mayor Branco:
Today marks 25 years since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, a day that profoundly changed our world and the way so many of us understood it.
It was a privilege to attend this morning’s remembrance ceremony at Bermuda’s September 11 Memorial in the Botanical Gardens, alongside U.S. Consul General Antoinette Hurtado and members of our community, to pause and reflect on the lives lost and the enduring impact of that day.
For so many of us, September 11 is one of those moments in history where we remember exactly where we were when we heard the news. In a matter of hours, nearly 3,000 lives were lost, families were torn apart and a sense of security that many had taken for granted was shattered.
Here in Bermuda, that loss was deeply personal. Among those who lost their lives were Bermudians Rhondelle Tankard and Boyd Gatton, as well as Robert Higley, who had strong ties to the Island. Their loss ensures that September 11 is not only a chapter in world history, but part of Bermuda’s own story.
We remember every person who lost their life that day, and we honour the extraordinary courage and sacrifice of the first responders who ran towards danger to help others. We also remember the countless families, friends, colleagues and communities whose lives were inextricably changed, as well as those who continue to live with the lasting effects of September 11.
Twenty-five years later, we can also reflect on what the years since have shown us: extraordinary resilience and strength, greater connectivity across borders, and our shared capacity to rebuild and move forward even after unimaginable tragedy.
Perhaps one of the most important responsibilities we carry today is to ensure that September 11 is remembered by generations who were not yet born when it happened. We remember not only the scale of the tragedy, but the individual lives behind the numbers, the acts of courage and compassion that emerged in its aftermath, and the resilience of communities that refused to be defined by tragedy.
As Mayor of Hamilton, I join people across Bermuda and around the world in remembering all those we lost 25 years ago today.
We remember Rhondelle. We remember Boyd. We remember Robert. We remember them all.
May their memories continue to remind us of the preciousness of life, the strength of community and the importance of standing together in the face of adversity.
Rt. Wor Mayor Dr. Michael Branco JP
City of Hamilton
