The sense of solidarity between Ottawa and New York City following the 9-11 attacks is still being felt as their ten-year anniversary draws closer.
On Friday, Ottawa emergency personnel made their annual march from the Ottawa police headquarters on Elgin Street to City Hall, to honour the 343 New York firefighters killed on 9-11.
"We're out there for the public. That's what we do," said firefighter Brian Martin. "We don't think about it, everyone's running out while we're running in."
Friday's ceremony was made more special by the unveiling of a plaque at the Ottawa Firefighters Memorial by American ambassador David Jacobson, which included a piece of steel from the World Trade Centre.
"To those of you who rushed in and never rushed out and to all of you who risk your lives so that so many others may live, I can only say thank you," Jacobson said.
The event gave a chance for Jordan Lang, daughter of an Ottawa firefighter, to reminisce.
"I can't believe it's been ten years," she said. "I remember the day it happened and it had a really strong impact on Canada as a country and North America."
Another commemoration is happening Sunday, when the National Arts Centre will play a free concert.
Daphne Burt chose the music for the performance and remembers packing to move from the United States to Canada on that bright Tuesday morning.
"It was an unusual feeling that I hadn't experienced before," said Burt, who is an American and the NAC orchestra's artistic administrator.
"I felt like, should I stay. I should stay. It's my country and it's under attack," she said, professing a sense of guilt at leaving."
The concert will start on the NAC terrace at 8:46 a.m. – the time the first hijacked plane hit the first tower.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Norman Fetterley
